San Diego County Public Health Services confirmed five cases of mumps among student-athletes on a San Diego State University sports team, according to an email sent out by the Point Loma Nazarene University Wellness Center on Sept. 23. Because of the close contact with sports between the two colleges, the public health advisory was issued.
The email gave a short description of how mumps spread through close-contact environments and through respiratory droplets, including through “sharing drinks, food, vape pens, kissing, or coughing and sneezing within a close distance,” the email said.
People with mumps can spread the virus two days before symptoms show. Those symptoms include swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands, fever and headache, muscle aches and fatigue and loss of appetite.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that patients with suspected mumps be investigated as part of its public health strategies to control and investigate mumps outbreaks. Suspected cases of mumps should be confirmed through a doctor.
While the Wellness Center declined to comment, Tim Heiduk, PLNU’s associate athletic director for communications, said that the outbreak hasn’t impacted our campus, “so normal protocols are in place.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no treatment for mumps. Most people recover within three to 10 days.
The steps you can take to help in recovering include resting, taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.), using a cold or warm cloth and drinking plenty of fluids.
If you develop swelling in your jaw or face, or begin to feel any of the other symptoms listed above, the Wellness Center advises students to isolate immediately, wear a mask in public places and contact the SD Public Health Nurse Hotline: (866) 358-2966 as said in the email.
Grace Chaves