Managing the Mumps

[Guest guest]

Same story, different spin. If they are really vaccinating these college kids, is there a chance for adverse reactions as this will be the first time with this age cohort of using MMR? Also the 2nd link below takes you to the never ending CDC pages on "no evidence/autism". http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail2820.cfm?Id=0,47669 04/26/2006 Managing the Mumps There's a second confirmed case of mumps in South Dakota. And if Iowa's experience is any indication, the worst of mumps in South Dakota is still ahead of us.

Just as Colorado health officials were announcing their first cases of the mumps there, South Dakota health officials were releasing information about the state's second official case. The latest case involves an adult in the Pennington County area who, like the student in Madison, has been placed in isolation. Two counties: Pennington and Lake now have mumps cases confirmed by State Health Lab results. Eighteen counties: , Mix, Clay, Codington, on, , McCook, Minnehaha, Potter, , Sully, and Walworth are areas where State officials say are suspected cases of the mumps. Those are also being investigated by the state's disease detectives.Meanwhile,

Iowa kicked off a huge campaign today to try and control the severe outbreak of mumps. Tens of thousands of people are getting vaccinated in hopes of stopping the spread of the virus. Iowa health officials say they hope to vaccinate as many college-age students as possible before sending them home for the summer. The target group is 18 to 22 year olds because officials believe many of them didn't get a second MMR vaccine and could be at risk for the disease.South Dakota health officials are among those hoping the vaccination clinics prove popular. South Dakota State Epidemiologist, Dr. Lon Kightlinger says, "What we're seeing in this outbreak now is people who've never been vaccinated are being hit. And then we've got about ten-percent breakthrough among people who were actually vaccinated.

No vaccine is perfect and this one is showing not to be perfect."Defining the MumpsIt may seem hard to believe but as far as state officials are concerned, even though a condition may act like the mumps, feel like the mumps, even look like the mumps. It doesn't necessarily mean a person has the mumps. Even though he's been an infectious disease specialist for more than 27 years, Doctor Wendell Hoffman hasn't seen many cases of mumps. He says, "I've suspected, over several decades, maybe in a few cases only. So it is really very uncommon, even in a practice like my own." Yet, he's seen enough mumps to recognize it when he does see it. Hoffman says, "Physicians have a high index of suspicion right now and are looking for it. Now sometimes, we may over-call a diagnosis, but most of the time, I think, we're going to get it pretty close." Yet, such cases are only considered "suspect" by the South Dakota Department of Health. The Centers for Disease Control lists them as "probable". Hoffman explains, "The State's obligation is to make sure that they confirm a case before they report it." Which means that the case isn't counted until one of three possible tests at the state health lab confirms it should be. But even that isn't an exact science. South Dakota State Epidemiologist, Dr. Lon Kightlinger explains, "If you draw the blood too quickly, like on the very first day they start with their parotid swelling, it may not have been enough time for the antibodies to develop. Or if you take it too late, you may have missed it." So for now, state officials will release both the number of confirmed cases, and the number of counties where there are suspected cases, in hope of helping stop the spread. Hoffman says, "If we see somebody that meets what we think is the clinical definition of mumps, the appropriate thing to do is advise that individual to self-isolate themselves so that they're not spreading it around." To which Kightlinger adds, "Once a person is named as a contact in any at-risk groups, they're urged to get vaccinated with MMR right away." Bottom line? No matter what you’ve heard, because we're currently in an outbreak situation here in KELOLAND, it's important to check your own immune status. If you haven't had two MMRs, get them. And if you need to know more, check out the links we've set up below. Frequently Asked Questions About the MumpsMMR Vaccine InformationSouth Dakota Department of Health

Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.