Charlotte, NC – Mecklenburg County Health Department officials have reported a confirmed case of mumps in the County.
This case is related to the confirmed case in Iredell County. Mecklenburg and Iredell County Health Departments are working together to quickly identify and investigate individuals who demonstrate symptoms that resemble those caused by mumps.
Here’s what you should know about the virus:
How it’s transmitted:
Mumps is spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat of an infected person, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. Items used by an infected person, such as cups or soft drink cans, can also be contaminated with the virus, which may spread to others if those items are shared.
Symptoms:
Fever, headache, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, muscle ache, pain or discomfort, and tenderness or swelling of the glands below the ears. Anyone demonstrating these symptoms should contact their physician.
Treatment:
There is no treatment for mumps (antibiotics are not effective against a virus), but some medications can help relieve symptoms. The best defense is to get vaccinated and practice good hygiene habits like regularly washing your hands with soap and water, sneezing and coughing into a tissue or your elbow, and avoid sharing when you or someone else is eating or drinking.
Prevention:
There are two vaccines that prevent mumps – MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Chicken Pox also known as Varicella) vaccines.
For more information about mumps visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website here.
