The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) is investigating two clusters of mumps cases occurring in adult men. As of Thursday, five confirmed and two likely cases of mumps in adult men have been reported; the majority have been in HIV uninfected men who have sex with men. Contact investigations are ongoing.
Health officials remind providers to consider the diagnosis of mumps among patients presenting with parotitis, other salivary gland swelling, and/or orchitis, even if patients have been vaccinated.
Mumps symptoms include swollen or tender salivary glands, swollen or tender testicles, low fever, tiredness and muscle aches. People usually develop symptoms 14-18 days after being exposed to the virus that causes mumps, but it can be as long as 25 days. Anyone suspected of having mumps should stay home while they’re contagious – five days after swollen glands occur.
Mumps is spread through coughing and sneezing and sharing cups and utensils. While vaccination is the best protection against mumps, even people who are vaccinated can become infected. People should also prevent spreading mumps and other illnesses by covering coughs and sneezes, washing their hands frequently with soap and water, and not sharing food and drinks.
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