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Mumps is a viral disease caused by the mumps virus. Prior to the development of vaccination and the introduction of a vaccine, it was a common childhood disease worldwide. Painful swelling of the salivary glands is the most typical presentation.
The symptoms are generally not severe in children. Mumps is an illness characterized by acute swelling of the salivary gland lasting two or more days. The illness can cause deafness and encephalitis. A person can be infected for two days before symptoms appear.
The mumps cases in Brooklyn have affected people who range in age from 1 to 42 years of age. Most of the cases are among children ages 10-15 years old.
The health department in NY is telling people who suspect they have mumps to stay home for five days. Children who are not fully vaccinated against mumps are the highest risk of infection.
After the illness, life-long immunity to mumps generally occurs; reinfection is possible but tends to be mild and atypical.
Anyone who has a suspected or confirmed case of mumps should be reported to the Bureau of Immunization in New York at 212-676-2288.
Cheryl Phillips
Exclusive to HULIQ.com
image: wikipedia
Posted October 22nd, 2009 by Cheryl Phillips
