There has been an increased number of cases of the contagious illness, Mumps in the South West this year.
Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection that you can catch through direct contact with an infected person, or through the air when they cough or聽sneeze.
Most people recover without the need for treatment but in some cases it can cause complications such as inflammation of the testicles or ovaries, and in rare cases, meningitis or deafness.
What are the symptoms?
Mumps is most recognisable by the painful swelling of the glands at the side of the face and under the ears but headaches, pain in your joints and fever are also common symptoms.
A person is most contagious a few days before the symptoms develop and for a few days afterwards. You can find out more about the symptoms of Mumps聽.
When to see a doctor
It is important that if you think you may have Mumps, that you call your doctor to arrange an appointment for diagnosis and treatment. While Mumps isn鈥檛 usually serious, the condition has very similar symptoms to other infections such as glandular fever and tonsillitis.
If you suspect that you or a person you live with has Mumps, Public Health England聽advises that you stay away from lectures, exams and social gatherings for five days after the glands swell.
If you have Mumps, you can also help prevent it spreading by:
- regularly washing your hands with soap
- using and disposing of tissues when you sneeze
Preventing Mumps
The combined Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) is typically given to young children in two doses between the ages of nine months to six years. You need both doses of the MMR vaccine to be protected and there are no risks to your health if you get an extra dose. The vaccination is free聽and if you鈥檙e not sure you鈥檝e received both doses, it is easy to find out by聽contacting your GP.
We encourage you to read聽聽advice and book an appointment with your doctor to arrange to receive the full dose.
If you鈥檙e not registered with a doctor, you can register with the聽BU Student Medical Centre聽on our Talbot Campus. Or if you prefer, you can 鈥� find out more on the聽.
Please note: the Student Medical Centre will be closed from Monday 23 March -聽if you need to make an appointment you will need to聽call the聽聽in Wallisdown聽(view map for details)聽on 01202 636400.聽For聽urgent medical advice please call NHS 111聽or聽speak聽to a local pharmacy.聽
You can read the information about Mumps, measles and the MMR vaccine on our聽contagious diseases聽web page.聽
