Your best protection from mumps is to get immunized. Call your healthcare provider office to check your family’s vaccinations records. If you don’t have your own healthcare provider, visit the Health Map Finder and type in your zip code- Health Map Finder to find the nearest location to get immunized and help stop the spread of mumps in Washington.
What is mumps: Signs & Symptoms:
Mumps is a disease caused by a virus. It typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and a loss of appetite. However, mumps is best known for the facial jaw and swelling (one or both cheeks may look swollen) . Symptoms may appear 12-25 days after exposure, usually 16- 18 days after exposure. Mumps usually goes away on its own in about 10 days. But in some cases, it can cause complications that affect the brain, the testicles, the ovaries, or the pancreas.
People may also complain of:
- Swelling of the cheeks and jaw (one or both cheeks may look swollen)
- Fever
- Headache, earache, sore throat, and pain when they swallow or open their mouth
- Pain when eating sour foods or drink sour liquids, such as fruit or juice
- Feeling tired
- Poor appetite
- Testicular pain (males) or pelvic discomfort (females)
How are mumps spread?
A person with mumps can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, or spraying saliva while talking. It can also be spread by sharing cups or eating utensils, and by touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others.
It’s especially important for you to take precautions when traveling to a county where mump cases have been reported. Avoid kissing, hugging and other close contact with anyone who is suspected of having mumps.
Who is at higher risk of getting mumps?
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- Infants who are too young to receive MMR vaccine (under 1 year of age).
- Children over 1 year of age who have not received at least 1 dose of MMR (2 doses are required for school-aged children).
- Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12-15 months of age, and the second dose at 4-6 years of age.
- Teenagers and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination (2 doses of MMR vaccine or a blood test that can prove immunity to mumps).
- Adults born in or after 1957 who have not been vaccinated or have not previously had mumps.
- Unvaccinated individuals who are unsuitable candidates for vaccination (e.g., those with health care provider-documented severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component, immunocompromised, or pregnant).
- If you are unsure whether you or your child have been vaccinated, please contact your healthcare provider.
- *Note: Persons born before 1957 likely had mumps as children and are usually considered immune, unless they work in healthcare. Healthcare workers should receive the vaccination.
How to prevent mumps:
- Make sure you and your children are up to date on MMR vaccine. Your healthcare provider office has the vaccine in supply. Adults can also contact their local pharmacy to schedule an appointment. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of the vaccine.
- Visit the Mumps Vaccination page to see recommendations for different groups.
- Where can you get the MMR Shot in Grant County? Visit the Health Map Finder and type in your zip code- Health Map Finder
- If you don’t have a healthcare provider, call GCHD (509-766-7960) or the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.
- You can also ask your healthcare provider for a blood test (called a titer) that can prove immunity to mumps.
- Stay away from anyone who has mumps.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid sharing drinks or utensils used for eating.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, tables, counters.
What to do if you have symptoms:
- If you or your child has symptoms of mumps (fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen cheeks or jaw), call your healthcare provider immediately.
- If anyone in your home feels sick with mumps, healthcare providers need you to do these things below:
- Stay inside your home as much as you can. Do not go on a plane or bus. Do not go to restaurants, stores or church. Do not go to school or work.
- Call the health department and healthcare provider. Please call the health department at 509-766-7960. Please call your healthcare provider. We can help you if you have mumps. We can help your family not get sick.
- Do not cough near others. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently. Cover your coughs/sneezes so other people do not get your germs. Do not share drinks. Do not share forks or spoons.
Mumps, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding:
- Pregnant women should not get MMR vaccine.
- The mumps infection during pregnancy can occasionally result in miscarriage.
- Healthy household members and close contacts should all be vaccinated with MMR to protect the pregnant mother.
- Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine viruses are not transmitted from the vaccinated person, so MMR vaccination of a household contact does not pose a risk to a pregnant household member.
- Pregnant women who need the vaccine should wait until after giving birth. Based on CDC guidance, women should avoid getting pregnant for 4 weeks after vaccination with MMR vaccine.
- Mumps in infants is less likely if mother is previously immune as the immunity is shared from mom to baby.
- Premature babies are less protected.
- MMR can be given any time after delivery, even if the mother is breastfeeding, and is recommended before hospital discharge.
- Breastfeeding will not protect against measles or mumps.
- Continuing to breastfeed after acquiring mumps is okay.
- If you are pregnant, please speak with your healthcare provider.
What should I do now?
- If you were born in or after 1957, it’s very important that you check your records for immunization against mumps. You likely received at least one dose of MMR vaccine during your routine childhood vaccinations.
- If you have not received MMR vaccine before or if you are unsure, please get vaccinated at your healthcare provider’s office or visit your local pharmacy.
- Pregnant women cannot receive the MMR vaccine; if you are pregnant, please speak with your healthcare provider.
- You can also ask your healthcare provider for a blood test (called a titer) that can prove immunity to mumps.
Local Pharmacies:
Moses Lake Pharmacies |
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Rite Aid 500 S. Pioneer Way Phone: 509-765-1219 |
Safeway 601 S Pioneer Way Phone: 509-764-4721 |
Walgreens 200 E Broadway Ave Phone: 509-765-1217 |
Walmart 1005 N Stratford Rd Phone: 509-766-0168 |
Lake Town Pharmacy 1550 S. Pioneer Way Inside the Pioneer Med. Ctr. Bldg. Phone: 765-8891 |
Moses Lake Professional Pharmacy 1555 Pilgrim St. Phone: 509-764-2314 |
Southgate Pharmacy 2709 W. Broadway Inside Lep-re-Kon Phone: 509-765-9332 |
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Ephrata Pharmacies |
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Rite-Aid 250 Basin St. SW Phone: 509-754-3513 |
Safeway 1150 Basin St. SW Phone: 509-754-3567 |
Walmart 1399 Nat Washington Way Phone: 509-754-8847 |
* Note: All pharmacies take walk-ins for immunizations, but suggest calling first to make sure there is not a long wait time and see if they bill your insurance
Additional Information:
Media Release:
4/22/2019 Mumps Confirmed in Grant County Resident
Healthcare Provider Release:
4/19/2019 Mumps Confirmed in Grant County Resident
Questions? Please contact GCHD at 509-766-7960 or Like Us on Facebook to stay updated.