Warning to students after Mumps outbreak at Exeter University

Exeter University has seen an outbreak of Mumps this term, with 16 cases reported in the last week.

This contagious viral infection is most recognisable by the painful swellings located at the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands), giving a person with mumps a distinctive "hamster face" appearance. Other symptoms include headache, joint pain and a high temperature.

The University Health Centre has advised anyone with similar symptoms to get in touch and, if diagnosed, it is advised to stay out of lectures or study groups for five days. While the infection is not usually serious, mumps share symptoms with more serious types of infection, such as glandular fever and tonsillitis, so it is recommended to visit your GP or the Student Health Centre so that they can confirm or rule out mumps.

Mumps is spread in the same way as colds and flu: inside infected droplets of saliva that can be inhaled or picked up from surfaces and passed into the mouth or nose.   A person is most contagious one to two days before the onset of symptoms, and for five days afterwards.

During this time, it is important to try to prevent spreading the infection to others; particularly teenagers and young adults who have not been vaccinated. Once you have been infected by mumps, you normally develop a life-long immunity to further infection. The Student Health Centre is advising any students who have not been vaccinated previously to get vaccinated now either with them or at your GP to prevent further outbreak of the illness.

For more information on the symptoms and treatment of mumps contact your GP/the Student Health Centre or visit the NHS Direct website here.