Last month, two Indiana University students were diagnosed with mumps. Mumps is a viral disease that mimics the symptoms of a common cold, but is usually followed by the swelling of one or both of the parotid salivary glands.
Nancy Russell, a house mother on campus, had mumps when she was a child.
“If someone has not been immunized and is contagious, or has been around someone who is contagious they can spread it. Which is why it’s such a nasty disease because it’s so easily spread from one person to the next,” Russell said.
Before 2016, the university did not require students from the United States to provide documentation that they received their immunizations before coming to school. Only international students were required to provide documentation that they received all of their vaccines. Students from the United States were only asked to provide exact dates that they got their vaccines. After the class of 2020 came to campus, IU decided to change its policy after numerous outbreaks occurred. All students who attend IU are now required to provide actual documentation that they received their immunizations as well as the dates that these vaccines were given.
The Immunizations Policy at IU.
If you did not get the MMR vaccine, it is important that you wash your hands often and avoid sharing utensils and cups with others.
If you think you have mumps, you should stay home, avoid contact with others, and contact your doctor immediately. For more information about mumps, you can visit the CDC’s website.
