The IAA One Minute Blog

The National Hockey League (NHL) has been hit these past few months with the mumps virus. While younger hockey fans may not know what the virus is, older fans may be wondering how this outdated virus has managed to make a comeback.

What are Mumps?

Mumps is a viral infection that primarily affects the parotid glands, one of three pairs of saliva producing glands. These glands are situated below, and in front of, a person’s ears. Before the routine vaccination program was introduced in the United States, mumps was a common illness in infants, children and young adults. Because most people have now been vaccinated, mumps has become a rare disease in the U.S.

Signs and symptoms of mumps are:

• Earache
• Fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches
• Pain while chewing or swallowing
• Sore throat
• Swollen or tender salivary glands under the ears or jaw on one or both sides of the face that cause the cheeks to puff out.
• Tiredness

Some people affected with the mumps virus have either no signs or symptoms or very mild ones. When signs and symptoms do develop, they usually appear about two to three weeks after exposure to the virus.

How is Mumps Spread?

Mumps is a highly contagious disease and is spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat of an infected person.  If you have mumps, help prevent the spread of the disease by:

• Minimizing close contact with other people
• Not sharing drinks or utensils
• Regularly cleaning surfaces that are frequently touched
• Staying home from work or school for five days after your glands begin to swell
• Washing your hands well and often with soap

Mumps usually goes away on its own in about 10 days. You can spread the virus seven days before and for nine days after symptoms start.  The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is the best way to prevent mumps. Currently, there is no specific treatment for mumps. 

The Mumps Hit the NHL

The mumps outbreak in the NHL has reached its peak, according to experts. The outbreak led to emergency team wide immunizations, some player quarantines, and a re-examination of the NHL’s infectious disease prevention.

One cause of the outbreak might be the lack of a second vaccination in some of the older players. When the Centers for Disease Control began recommending the vaccine in 1971, they recommended only one dose. The CDC did not recommend a second dose until 1991. Players born before 1990 may not have been given the second dose.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America wants everyone to be vaccinated. Take your kids for their childhood vaccinations, and check with your doctor to make sure you don’t need a booster for any of your childhood shots. IAA knows that no one likes to get poked with a needle, but it could save you from catching something. Just think of IAA as you third party immunization reminder, reminding you to get vaccinated!

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