Mumps outbreak hitting colleges

An outbreak of mumps across the country is affecting students worst. DCU confirmed 10 cases of mumps in the college and that figure is expected to rise in the coming weeks.

It is reported that there have been over 800 cases of mumps throughout colleges all over Ireland this year. That’s up from well under 100 hundred at the same time last year.

14 people have even been admitted into hospital this year with the viral illness.

DCU Health Clinic is offering free vaccinations for any student that hasn’t received the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) jab or the follow up booster jab. The vaccine is also available at all local General Practitioners for free.

Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen salivary glands. It is spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing. It can also be passed through direct contact with saliva, including kissing.

Mumps has been on the increase in Ireland since last year. Complications arising from the viral illness are rare but can be very serious. Mumps can cause meningitis, deafness, and inflammation of the pancreas, ovaries or testicles. If you feel any of the symptoms mentioned already and are concerned, don’t hesitate to contact the Health Clinic in DCU or your doctor.

It may just be a flu or cold you are experiencing but there’s no harm in making sure.

Once swollen cheeks and glands are noticed patients should be excused from work, college and socialising to prevent others from contracting the illness. Mumps, therefore, can be very disrupting for students as lectures and project work cannot be carried out.

If you are under 25 and have not received either the MMR vaccine or the booster jab then you should avoid contact with anybody that has recently developed swollen glands and mump like symptoms.

The mumps is most infectious during the incubation period which is one week before swollen symptoms begin to show and also one week after symptoms present themselves.

If you have been in contact with an infected person and have not received all of the injections then you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

There are a few things to bear in mind in order to help prevent the further spread of the illness.

1. Remember to inform the receptionist at the doctor’s clinic that you think you may have mumps.

2. Avoid communal areas and close contact with other students.

3. Arrange to stay in your accommodation or go home until the infectious period has passed (Your doctor will advise you, but this will be at least 7 days or until the swelling in the glands has subsided).

4. If you are staying on campus let people at home know what is going on and ask roomates to shop for you if you need anything.

5. Contact your personal tutor and let him/her know what is going on. You will require a Medical Cert from the doctor for your period of sickness and in the case of you being unable to attend any examination. Certificates can be obtained from your GP or the GP at the Student Health Centre.

Mumps will basically make you feel very uncomfortable and unwell for about 7-12 days. Symptoms should then subside. Your reflection might be a bit of a shock for a while. My friend looked far too much like Kanye West in that “Through the Wire” video to keep me from giggles but rest assured, it’ll pass, and no Sophie Ellis Bexter jaw will remain.