Cases of mumps have been confirmed on the Medford/Somerville campus of Tufts University. The most recent university messages regarding mumps are listed below.
What You Need to Know
The main symptom of mumps is swelling and pain of the salivary gland located along the angle of your jaw, slightly below your ear.
There is no medication for mumps—it has to run its course.
All incoming Tufts students are required to have 2 mumps shots (MMR, or Mumps, Measles and Rubella). However, the immunization is not completely effective and the protection can decrease with time, so some fully immunized students are still susceptible.
The infection is spread by respiratory droplets, i.e., by sneezes and coughs, sharing drinks, and close social contact.
The incubation period for mumps is 12-25 days, and you are contagious for 3 days before you develop symptoms and for 5 full days after symptoms start.