CONWAY (WBTW) – Students and faculty at CCU may have been exposed to a confirmed case of mumps, according to a letter sent campus-wide on Friday afternoon.
The letter, sent by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, warns that anyone who visited campus between March 10th and March 15th may have been exposed to the illness.
Symptoms of mumps include fever, headaches, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite, according to the letter. These symptoms usually appear within 16 to 18 days after infection, but could range from 12 to 25 days after coming into contact with an infected person. Most people usually have mild symptoms and recover quickly, but complications from the illness can happen.
To avoid coming down with mumps, DHEC suggests that students wash their hands frequently, don’t share food or beverages, and cover their nose and mouth when sneezing.
Mumps can be prevented with an MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine. Students at CCU born in or after 1957 are required to have written documentation showing that they have received two doses of MMR vaccine, according to the letter.
Any students who believe they may be showing symptoms are advised to notify their health care provider of to visit the CCU Student Health center on campus.
