University of Richmond issues health advisory after several students contract mumps
The University of Richmond alerted faculty, staff and students Monday after the Henrico County Health Department identified multiple laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps among University of Richmond students, according to a Health Advisory March 18.
The Student Health Center (SHC) says mumps is transmitted person-to-person through direct contact with respiratory droplets spread by coughing and sneezing or through contact with saliva from a person with mumps. People who become ill with mumps may not develop symptoms until 12 to 25 days after exposure.
The symptoms may include body aches, fever and swollen, tender glands in one or both sides of the jaw area.
Complications of mumps may include orchitis (which has been reported to be a risk factor for testicular cancer), encephalitis and spontaneous abortion. Sterility in males is a rare possible outcome.
It is recommended that anyone who develops symptoms should call the SHC Dial-a Nurse at (804) 289-8700 or after hours, call Campus Police at 289-8715.
They offer the following recommendations to prevent contracting the disease:
- Practice good respiratory etiquette- If you cough or sneeze cover your mouth and nose
- Wash your hands often and well
- Do not share drinks out of same glass, cup, cans, or bottle
- Review your vaccination history
- Regularly clean surfaces that are frequently touched by people (tables, countertops, doorknobs, etc.) with soap and water or other disinfectants.
For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
Looking for a job in health care? Check here to see what’s available
[…] The number of cases are up from just a week ago when University officials first issued an advisory. […]