By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
The Brussels Times reports a mumps outbreak on the campus of Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) in the Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe area of Brussels.
The school warned students via email concerning the increase in cases.
While the number of cases have not been disclosed, sick students are asked to stay at home.
Mumps is a highly infectious disease passed through saliva and respiratory secretions. While the incubation period ranges from 12 to 25 days, symptoms often appear 16 to 18 days after exposure. People with mumps are considered infectious from two days before swelling begins through five days after the start of swelling.
Symptoms of mumps include influenza-like/cold-like illness, tender swollen glands below the ear and along the jawline on one or both sides of the face and neck, headache, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, testicular swelling and pelvic pain.
There is no specific treatment for mumps – only relief of symptoms. The best prevention is vaccination.
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