Butler students get tested for mumps

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Butler University’s Health Services have opened its doors on Sunday until 2 p.m. for students who may show signs of mumps.

Saturday, the university emailed the student body telling them three students tested positive for the illness that’s caused by a virus. The university said the three students have left the campus and are at home with their families.

Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and swollen, tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides. Symptoms typically appear 16 to 18 days after exposure, but can range from 12 to 25 days.

The Marion County Public Health Department have made the following recommendations for the students, faculty, and staff of Butler University:

• People born before 1957 are consider immune to mumps because exposure to the disease was common when young. Those born during or after 1957 should check to see if they have had two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) immunizations or have had mumps.
• If you have not been immunized with two doses of MMR, or have not had mumps, or cannot find your vaccine medical records, it is recommended that you contact your health provider for appropriate follow up.
• Students who have only received one dose of vaccine should receive their second dose at this time.

After hours, students are encouraged to go to an emergency room. They’re told to call the emergency room before arriving so they don’t have to wait in the general waiting room and possibly spread the illness. The CDC said the mumps are spread through coughing, sneezing, and talking.

Student with questions can call Health Services at (317) 940-9385 or access secure messaging on the health portal, myhealth.butler.edu, by clicking “message”. You can also call the Indiana State Department of Heath at (317) 373-2477.