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Original poster

Mumps?

19 replies

Canadianpancake · 23/02/2020 20:16

I've had a bad virus for 10 days, including conjunctivitisn in both eyes, ear infections in both ears and a really sore throat, as well as feeling really exhausted and just generally crappy. Then over the last couple of days my face has become swollen at the top of my jaw and in front of my ears. My neck and the sides of my face/head have been painful since the virus started but I just thought it was because of my ears. Having consulted Dr Google to try to find out if I would ever feel better and get my hearing back, I came across Mumps. I've had my MMR and I don't think I've been in contact with anyone that has it, but I work with children so anything is possible.

I have been to the doctor's and they just said it was a vital infection and to rest, but this was before my face was swollen. I don't look like a hamster or anything, but I can tell my face is swollen.

To be honest I wouldn't do anything different if it was mumps, just rest and plenty of fluids, and avoid other people. I'm just curious if anyone else had had mumps as an adult, how common is it?

OP posts:
mindutopia · 23/02/2020 20:48

It’s possible. Just because you’ve had your MMR doesn’t mean you’re still immune as an adult. I was screened as an adult (work in the NHS) and I was no longer immune to measles despite having the full two doses of MMR. Colleague found out she was no longer immune to mumps.

It is going around at the moment though. Two different work colleagues (totally separate offices no contact with each other) have gotten mumps in the past month and we had a general alert go out about it. So it is making the rounds.

Original poster
Canadianpancake · 23/02/2020 21:01

Thanks @mindutopia. I don't suppose it makes much difference really, I'm still in bed by 8pm feeling crap whatever it is. Just out of interest, is there a top up of the MMR for adults seeing as it can 'wear off?'

OP posts:
meow1989 · 23/02/2020 21:05

Just butting in - you can have the course of the mmr again as an adult- I found out I wasnt immune to mumps or rubella and had the whole course again at 19 (actually think it was shorter between doses than for childreb). Mumps is a notifiable disease in the UK so I would call your gp again for advice. Sounds awful you poor thing! Are you off work currently? Mumps can be particuarly dangerous for adolescent boys if you work with kids of that age?

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1987Nic · 23/02/2020 21:07

I had mumps when I was around 20, the doctors told me I had tonsillitis but my mam made me go back for a second opinion. I think it’s best to go back again to checked out.

lljkk · 23/02/2020 21:10

let us know what 'they' decide it is, OP?

mindutopia · 23/02/2020 21:16

Yes, you can get the MMR again as an adult. I had 2 doses, a month apart, but this was free because of my work. I don’t know how you’d go about arranging it otherwise but I’m sure you could do it privately.

Kuponut · 23/02/2020 21:19

Yep you can get the MMR as an adult - they've had a fair push on top and catch ups around my uni because of mumps being on the rise in the area.

I had one dose as a child and NHS occupational health insisted I had a second fairly recently too.

WinterCat · 23/02/2020 21:26

How old are you? The MMR vaccine isn’t necessarily life long so it’s not unreasonable for your immunity to wear off.

Original poster
Canadianpancake · 23/02/2020 21:51

I'm 38. I have a ds but he should be ok as he's up to date with his immunisations. I will call the docs tomorrow to tell them about the swelling, as NHS advice is to not just turn up because of infection. I work with primary aged children so I've been off on half term this week and had already told them I would be of for the next few days. There were loads of different bugs going round towards the end of last half term, but not mumps. It could just be the side effects of a bad ear infection, but to me it just seems I have a lot of different symptoms for it to just be that. Thanks for the advice everyone.

OP posts:
WinterCat · 23/02/2020 22:05

When I had DC1 I was 36 and already rubella had worn off, which I’d been given as a teenager as I’m too old for MMR. So if you are 38, I think it’s feasible you either didn’t get MMR as a child at all or else the mumps vaccine has worn off. I had mumps as a child, so I don’t know whether it was supposed to be included in the vaccination schedule or not.

Strangely enough, after not hearing of anyone having it in many years, a friend had in last month. I wonder if it is doing the rounds.

Whatevah · 23/02/2020 22:12

I my kids senior school they have had mumps quite a bit over the last few years. In and off. One of my kids is immunocompromised so the nurse sends me a quick email when some one has it.
She said nearly all were immunised as kids. Y 12-14 are the main years to get it in school.
She also said the GPs will only put it down as mumps if the kids actually go to he surgery. If she tells them it’s definitely mumps it doesn’t matter. Most don’t bother with the gp, so the cases are not actually registered. So it’s more cases than it appears too.

Spam88 · 24/02/2020 00:04

Are you sure you've had the MMR vaccine? I'd have thought you're slightly too old to have had it but I could be wrong!

preponderings · 24/02/2020 05:43

Are you sure you've had the MMR vaccine sure? I'd have thought you're slightly too old to have had it but I could be wrong!
I'm slightly older and have definitely had the vaccine.

Original poster
Canadianpancake · 24/02/2020 08:51

I was 7 when the MMR was introduced, and my mum says she's sure I've had it. I've got the doc calling me back this morning anyway, so I'll know one way or the other if they want to test for it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Canadianpancake · 25/02/2020 09:39

So the nurse gave me more antibiotics, despite the not being any signs of a bacterial infection, and dismissed my concerns of mumps, despite me having all the symptoms. She said my hearing loss is unexplainable because my ear canals are completely clear. Just clarify... I lost my hearing overnight nearly 2 weeks ago. People have to literally shout in my face for me to be able to hear them. Seeing as hearing loss is a serious, not uncommon side effect of mumps, and it is not getting even slightly better, aibu to expect a little more from them than a course unjustified antibiotics.?

OP posts:
notanotherjigsawpiece · 25/02/2020 09:45

Ask your GP for a swab for mumps

Original poster
Canadianpancake · 25/02/2020 09:47

@notanotherjigsawpiece I did. She just said it's very unlikely that it was mumps and moved on to writing out my prescription.

OP posts:
Kuponut · 25/02/2020 09:52

If you can access your GP records online then it should have if you've had the MMR on there. I know I had to pull my dates off to satisfy occ health because they were convinced I wouldn't have had it because I'm older like the OP.

My younger brother was the right age to get it when it was introduced and my strongly pro-vacc mother dragged me along for a 2 for 1 setup. I still remember being really pissed off about being caught with an extra needle to this day!

Original poster
Canadianpancake · 25/02/2020 10:05

I've definitely had it. But as pp have said, it's not guaranteed and it is possible that it's effectiveness reduces over time. I ltd annoying me that she wouldn't even consider it, and went with something I have non of the symptoms for.

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