INDIANAPOLIS -- Three students at Butler University have confirmed cases of the mumps.
The cases were confirmed Friday night. All three students have left campus and are back home.
Mumps is caused by a virus. Symptoms typically appear 16 to 18 days after exposure and include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen, tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides
Students with symptoms of the mumps can go to Butler University Health Services from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
After hours, the university says go to emergency room but call ahead so you don't have to sit in the waiting room where you could potentially expose others.
MUMPS | How its transmitted |Tests and diagnosis | Prevention | FAQ's
Students, faculty and staff are being encouraged to check their vaccination records.
The best way to prevent mumps is to be vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine or MMR.
Two doses are only considered 88 percent effective so people who have had two MMRs may still get the mumps.
The Marion County Health Department and Indiana State Department of Health have the following recommendations for students, faculty and staff:
- People born before 1957 are considered immune to mumps because exposure to the disease was common when they were young. Those born during or after 1957 should check to see if they have had two MMR immunizations or have had mumps.
- If you have not been immunized with two doses of MMR, or have not had mumps, or cannot find your vaccine medical records, it is recommended that you contact your health provider for appropriate follow up.
- Students who have only received one dose of vaccine should receive their second dose at this time.
RELATED | Mumps cases confirmed at IU Bloomington
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