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Original poster

Go into work with possible mumps

29 replies

chewbaccathehooky · 09/08/2017 22:33

Hi all - I work as a freelance and am currently contracted with an amazing company, love the job, people etc and most of all need the money. My face started to swell earlier today, and without seeing me the out-of-hours doctor has diagnosed mumps via phone.
I'm a fucking sight, but my real worry is that I will infect others in the office. Anyone any experience? Am I OK to go into the office? I feel fine, just look like a hamster.

OP posts:
HerculesMulligan · 09/08/2017 22:36

No, you definitely can't go to work. Mumps is very contagious and for someone with a reduced immune system could be extremely dangerous. Phone them, explain and if you're well enough, offer to work from home.

FurbysMakeSexNoises · 09/08/2017 22:38

NHS Choices will have good advice- have a good read.

YaddaHey · 09/08/2017 22:40

No. You absolutely cannot risk anyone immune compromised. Don't be so stupid.

londonrach · 09/08/2017 22:40

Seriously you have to ask. Work from home if you can work but please please keep away from me. Its the one thing i wasnt allowed to be vaccined for due to a severe reaction to something. Stay home!!!!

HumpHumpWhale · 09/08/2017 22:41

It can make men infertile so no. Don't go to work.

NorthernLurker · 09/08/2017 22:41

You do realise mumps can have serious complications? Stay home and look after yourself!

ShrinkWrap · 09/08/2017 22:41

Are you sure you didn't get vaccinated? Various causes of parotitis. Bit weird to diagnose mumps just on the phone. In any case you shouldn't go to work, though annoying re loss of income! Maybe try to see a dr in person

CockacidalManiac · 09/08/2017 22:43

For fucks sake, no.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 09/08/2017 22:43

Stay st home and get medical advice

Argeles · 09/08/2017 22:45

Please do not go to work.

Follow your absence procedure, and explain your symptoms and what the out of hours Doctor suspects you have.

Call your Doctor and see if you can get an appointment asap. If you can't get one tomorrow, then go to a walk in clinic and get diagnosed there. You may only have a mild form of mumps (if you're lucky), and may only need to take a few days off from work. Rest is absolutely paramount for mumps.

I contracted mumps when I was a student, as a friend of mine came into Uni with the same symptoms as you for one day. Her symptoms worsened when she reached home and she became very ill, and had to take a month off. I also contracted it, and so did a few others who had been in close proximity to her. I had to take 1 week off, as fortunately I didn't contract a severe form.

Mumps is really dangerous for anyone with immune disorders, and pregnant women - they should not be around anyone with mumps whatsoever, as it greatly increases the chance of miscarriage. You would be putting anyone in your workplace in this position at risk.

Get plenty of rest, and get well soon Flowers.

Original poster
chewbaccathehooky · 09/08/2017 22:47

shrinkwrap I thought I was vaccinated, but the symptoms match exactly. Will not risk infecting anyone else - I had a read of NHS choices.
I just had absolutely no awareness of it.

OP posts:
KERALA1 · 09/08/2017 22:48

Mumps is a notifiable disease. Dh caught it randomly in his mid twenties he was very ill and there was a risk he was infertile he went through hell with it.

If you knowingly go to work and spread that around you are being very cruel and selfish.

PersianCatLady · 09/08/2017 22:49

I'm a fucking sight, but my real worry is that I will infect others in the office
AS long as you know for a fact that the others in your office don't have or come into contact with

  • young unvaccinated children (under 15 months)
  • unvaccinated children (any other reason)
  • men who may don't have kids yet and have not had mumps already
  • people with suppressed immune systems
  • pregnant women

Apart from that you should be absolutely fine.

NO

lampert · 09/08/2017 22:54

I had mumps when I was 20 despite having had the MMR jab as a child. I too felt fine initially (but got pretty sore a couple of days in!). It didn't take too long to pass.

Please don't even consider going to work. It is very dangerous for pregnant women and others with health complications that may not be obvious. It would be really unfair of you to risk it.

Hopefully your work will be grateful for your consideration of others and allow you to work remotely.

I hope it doesn't develop / cause you discomfort OP. Flowers

Tazerface · 09/08/2017 22:54

Mumps is a notifiable disease your doctor should be sending you a swab to send off for testing, this is the only way to be 100% certain (my boys had classic symptoms but the swab came back negative so probably a virus. Yes, both vaccinated)

It would very irresponsible to go to work.

altiara · 09/08/2017 22:57

No!

mineofuselessinformation · 09/08/2017 22:58

Dc1 had mumps.
It is a notifiable disease. You do need to go in when they ask you to for testing - by the time I got round to it, it was too late.
Just be honest about it. It's not something that anyone wants to have.
You have my sympathy, dc1 was vaccinated against it, but got it anyway.

altiara · 09/08/2017 22:59

Check with HR if they have a procedure for letting you work from home while you feel fine but are contagious.

KeiraKnightleyActsWithHerTeeth · 09/08/2017 23:02

Absolutely not.

Original poster
chewbaccathehooky · 09/08/2017 23:04

Thanks for all the advice, I won't be going in.

OP posts:
Wavingnotdrown1ng · 09/08/2017 23:12

I had mumps as an adult and have known those who have had the MMR have it too. The side- effects are awful and it took two years to get over it fully - it was like having ME. Please don't expose anyone else to it and do yourself a favour and get some decent pain relief on prescription because the jaw, ear and throat pain was excruciating for a week. It is a serious and very infectious illness which can have devastating long term effects, including deafness and male intertility.

Fluffyears · 09/08/2017 23:14

I'd be raging if you came to work. I have a relative who is immuno-suppressed at the moment and can't afford to be around people with illnesses like this.

wheredoesallthetimego · 09/08/2017 23:16

Mumps is not a phone diagnosis. You need to see your GP

HairyMcFairy16 · 09/08/2017 23:20

Tell the GP receptionist very clearly that you suspect mumps and ask where they want you to wait. They will most likely have a room waiting for you when you get there as you really shouldn't be in the waiting room.

lalalalyra · 09/08/2017 23:42

Glad you've decided not to go in. Mumps can be absolutely horrid. My BIL is infertile thanks to a nasty case of mumps.

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