NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Belmont University student was diagnosed with mumps Tuesday and was immediately isolated at home off campus.
It was the second recently confirmed case of the mumps at Belmont.
University health officials notified students, faculty and staff of the case and reminded them to protect themselves by washing their hands, avoiding unnecessary physical contact and maintain cough etiquette.
Mumps spreads through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat and causes flu-like, painful symptoms. Often the illness begins with nonspecific symptoms such as headaches, body aches, a low grade fever, decreased appetite and fatigue.
Within 48 hours, infected individuals usually develop swelling on the glands under the ears, a swollen or puffy jaw and pain in front of or below the ears and in the jaw, especially when trying to chew food. Symptoms tend to decrease after one week and generally resolve after 10 days.
Health officials said while most individuals receive the mumps MMR vaccine as children, that vaccine is not 100 percent effective, and some have simply not been vaccinated. They also said they are working with people who came in close contact of the affected student to offer a booster injection of the MMR.
An infected person (who may be contagious without knowing they are sick) can spread the virus by: coughing; sneezing or talking; sharing items, such as cups or eating utensils, with others; and touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others.
Anyone who may have symptoms of mumps, or questions about the mumps, can call Belmont Health Services at 615-460-5506 (M-F 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-noon).
