We are therefore urging you to be aware of the symptoms, the measures to take if you suspect you have mumps, and how you can help to protect yourself against the infection.

Mumps is a contagious viral infection which is recognised by the painful swelling at the side of the face, under the ears. Other symptoms, which normally come on a few days before the facial swelling develops, include:

• earache
• joint pain
• feeling sick
• dry mouth
• mild abdominal pain
• feeling tired
• loss of appetite
• a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F), or above

Most people usually recover from mumps without treatment, but in some cases complications can arise, such as inflammation of the ovaries or testicles, or on rare occasions meningitis and deafness.

Mumps is spread in the same way as colds and flu: through infected droplets of saliva that can be inhaled or picked up from surfaces and transferred into the mouth or nose.  

If you have symptoms of mumps you should stay away from others and not return to the University until five days after the swelling started. You should call NHS 111. There is currently no medication to cure mumps so treatment is focused on relieving symptoms. You will probably need bed rest and painkillers.

The MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself against these infections. If you are not sure whether you have been vaccinated, check with your GP. If you haven’t had the MMR vaccine your GP will be able to vaccinate you.

Different countries offer different immunisations, so if you were born or brought up overseas you may not have been immunised against all the virus covered by the MMR vaccine. If you don’t have a record of the vaccines you have received or are unsure, speak to your GP.

If you are not yet registered with a local GP, you can register with the University Medical Centre.