As many of you are aware from recent news reports, the Sangamon County Department of Public Health has reported 15 cases of the mumps this year with 14 of the cases in adults, ages 25-53 years of age.  Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by the mumps virus.  Mumps typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite and is followed by swelling of the salivary glands.  Other more serious symptoms can occur in rare cases, including meningitis, swelling of the testes or ovaries and inflammation of the joints.

Read more to learn about how Mumps is spread and how you can prevent it!