Probable Case Of Mumps Reported At Homer Glen Elementary School

HOMER GLEN, IL — A probable case of mumps has been reported at Goodings Grove Elementary School in Homer Glen. In a letter to parents from District 33C, the district said they were notified by the Will County Health Department on Jan. 9 about the probable case.

In December, there was an outbreak of mumps at Lewis University and one suspected case was identified at Lockport Township High School.

According to the district, mumps is spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat of an infected person, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. The disease usually starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches and is followed by swelling of salivary glands.

• Mumps Outbreak On Romeoville Campus: Lewis University
• Mumps Cases Reported In Chicago-Area Universities

The district said items used by an infected person, like cups or pop cans, can also be contaminated with the virus, which may spread to others if those items are shared. In addition, the virus may spread when someone with mumps touches items or surfaces without washing their hands and someone else then touches the same surface and rubs their mouth or nose.

The school said in the letter the best way to prevent your child from getting mumps is to make sure they are up-to-date with their vaccinations. School-aged children should have received at least one dose of a mumps vaccine (either mumps vaccine or measles-mumps-rubella, MMR) on or after their first birthday. A second dose of MMR is also recommended at 4-6 years of age. If you are not sure whether you child has received mumps vaccine, you should contact your child's primary care provider.

You may prevent contracting mumps with a few simple actions:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away after use.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Do not share eating and/or drinking utensils.
• Refrain from close contact with individuals who are sick/experiencing symptoms.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. (Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.)

Finally, fevers in children should not be treated with products containing aspirin, as use of these products with viral infections, like mumps, may rarely result in a serious condition called Reye Syndrome, the school said.

If your child or anyone in your household develops symptoms of mumps you should notify your primary care provider immediately. Those with mumps should remain at home for five days after the swelling of the salivary glands began. If your health care provider suspects mumps, contact the Homer CCSD nurse at 708-226-7792.

Image via Shutterstock.