Fourth case of mumps confirmed in Halifax-area
Posted Nov 7, 2017 05:47:12 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority says they have an additional confirmed case of mumps reported in the Halifax-area, bringing the total to four.
Because the viral illness is spread through mucous and saliva, others can be infected when someone with mumps coughs or sneezes on or near another person, or when an infected person shares food or drinks with others.
Symptoms, including swelling or pain in the jaw glands, fever, headache and aching muscles or joints, usually appear a couple of weeks after exposure and can last about 10 days.
For some, more severe symptoms can occur, like a severe headache, stiff neck, painful or swollen testicles, or severe abdominal pain. In rare cases, it can lead to meningitis, swelling of the ovaries, inflammation of the pancreas, and short-term or permanent hearing loss.
There's no treatment, so people are usually asked to stay home for 5 days to allow the body to fight it off.
The health authority says the best way to lower the risk of infection is to get the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination, which is routine in Nova Scotia and free to anyone with a health card.
Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact a health care provider.
