Mumps Case Confirmed in Clark County

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – Easily spread from person to person, here’s the symptoms to look out for and how to help prevent getting the disease.

Monday afternoon the Clark County Health Department said they were notified about the case of the contagious disease. Mumps is caused by the mumps virus and can easily spread from person to person.

The disease can spread two days before symptoms start and up to five days after. Some people may not show symptoms at all but can still spread the disease. It spreads through direct contact of droplets in the air. So by talking, coughing, sneezing or sharing items with their saliva.

Symptoms usually start with fever, headaches, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. A few days in, swelling might begin.

It causes the glands in and around your mouth that produce saliva to swell. The swelling can lead to painful and puffy cheeks and swelling in the jaw and under the ears. The health department says that in severe cases there can be swelling in testicles, ovaries, pancreas, brain and spinal cord. Hearing loss is possible as well.

Health experts say the best way to prevent mumps is to receive the MMR vaccine before exposure happens.