Health
As New Jersey investigates mumps outbreak, experts share what to know about symptoms, protection
The New Jersey Department of Health is investigating a suspected cluster of mumps cases in Hunterdon County among eight family members who traveled internationally, according to a recent press release.
No additional information was provided due to privacy concerns, the release indicated.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported at least 50 cases of mumps from over 20 states this year.
MEASLES VACCINATIONS GIVEN IN ’70S AND ’80S MAY HAVE WORN OFF BY NOW, DOCTOR WARNS
Health officials say that vaccination is the most effective protection.
“The best way to keep you and your loved ones safe is to get the MMR shot,” said Dr. Kaitlan Baston, the acting health commissioner, per the release.
“These viruses are incredibly contagious, so if you suspect you may have measles, mumps or rubella, it is important to call ahead before visiting any health care provider or facility so they can take special precautions,” she added.
What is mumps?
Mumps is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
It’s spread by direct contact with saliva, such as kissing or sharing water bottles with someone who has mumps.
It can also spread by respiratory droplets from the mouth, nose or throat from an infected person who is talking, coughing or sneezing, according to the CDC.
AMID MEASLES OUTBREAKS, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SPEAKS OUT AGAINST ‘FALSE INFORMATION’
Outbreaks often occur in settings where there is frequent close contact, such as on college campuses or in large gatherings.
“Mumps itself typically causes swelling of the glands in the head and neck that make saliva — most often the parotid glands, which are the largest salivary glands that sit just in front of the ears,” Dr. Mike Smith, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, told Fox News Digital.
Symptoms of mumps
Someone who is infected with mumps can spread the infection several days before the parotid glands start to swell and up to five days after, the CDC stated.
Some people may not develop any symptoms; but for those who become symptomatic, they generally start to feel sick anywhere from 12 to 25 days after infection.
Typical symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.
Most people get better on their own within two weeks.
In rare cases, especially in adults, swelling may occur in other parts of the body.
The most common complication of mumps in males is inflammation and swelling of the testicles, or orchitis, which occurs in about a third of unvaccinated men, Smith said.
Why is mumps making a comeback?
Reported cases of the mumps fell by more than 99% after the MMR vaccine was introduced in the U.S., the CDC noted.
Outbreaks and cases have been increasing since 2006, however — with most diagnoses occurring in young adults and previously vaccinated individuals, the agency adds.
MEASLES OUTBREAKS IN US, UK HAVE HEALTH AGENCIES ON HIGH ALERT: ‘BE VIGILANT’
“There is no individual vaccine against mumps, but it is part of the MMR vaccine that prevents measles, mumps and rubella,” Smith said.
It is recommended that children get two doses, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months old and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age, according to the CDC’s website.
Adults who are not immune are advised to get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.
“Mumps immunization rates unfortunately are not where they should be,” Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.
Only about 90% of children are fully vaccinated for mumps by 24 months of age, according to the CDC.
If people receive the standard recommendation of two mumps vaccinations as a child, there still is a chance that immunity will wane and they will get mumps if exposed later in life, according to Glatt.
“As such, we actually recommend that a third dose be given to people in an outbreak setting,” he said.
Differences between measles and mumps
Measles and mumps are caused by different viruses that belong to the same family of viruses called Paramyxoviridae, which are known to spread disease by respiratory droplets, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“Worldwide, both measles and mumps are very significant problems, with over 100,000 deaths due to measles in the previous year,” Glatt said.
The MMR vaccine protects against both viral infections, but measles is more contagious than mumps, with the highest mortality rate among the three infections that it protects against, Smith added.
“Measles is a far more serious illness than mumps, and is also making a resurgence in the U.S. after we thought we had eradicated it in 2002,” Glatt noted.
Common complications of measles include diarrhea and ear infections, but severe cases can include brain swelling (encephalitis) and pneumonia.
MEASLES VIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD AS WHO SAYS MORE THAN HALF THE WORLD HAS HIGH RISK OF CONTRACTING THE VIRUS
The CDC estimates that up to 90% of people who are exposed to someone with measles will get infected if they are not already immune.
Among the current measles outbreaks in the U.S., almost all cases have involved unvaccinated individuals, according to Smith.
Many young people who get infected with mumps, however, have received vaccinations.
A 2021 CDC report that reviewed cases of mumps from 2007 to 2019 in children and adolescents found that approximately 94% of people who contracted mumps were previously vaccinated.
The two infections also have different symptoms.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
People infected with measles usually develop their first symptoms within seven to 14 days after getting exposed, while people who get mumps usually experience illness around two weeks after infection.
The most classic sign of measles is cold symptoms followed by a red rash that starts on the face and moves downward.
With mumps, a telltale sign is puffiness of one or both cheeks, which occurs after non-specific symptoms.
Most people with mumps and measles get better within one to two weeks.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
Health
Handling grief on Mother's Day, plus disease-fighting foods and heart health risks
MISSING MOM – The first Mother’s Day after losing a mom can be challenging. A mental health expert shares five tips for navigating grief during the holiday. Continue reading…
ABCs of BETTER ZZZs – A sleep hack circulating on social media could help you drift off faster at night. Plus, sleep experts share their own tips. Continue reading…
SEEING RED – A short temper could make you more susceptible to a heart attack, a new study suggests. Cardiologists weigh in on the risk. Continue reading…
MOM ON A MISSION – A Pennsylvania mother is urging people to join the bone marrow registry to help her 10-year-old daughter, along with other patients waiting on donations. Continue reading…
ASK A DOC – ‘Is it safe to crack my back or neck?’ Doctors share cautions. Continue reading…
FOOD FOR THOUGHT – Eating at least three servings of yogurt per week could reduce the risk of a common disease, according to the FDA. Nutritionists share the benefits. Continue reading…
SENIOR SCREENINGS – Health officials recommend mammograms for women aged 40 to 74 – but why are senior women excluded? Medical experts explain. Continue reading…
HOLY GUACAMOLE! – Eating more avocado could help prevent the risk of a common disease in women, some claim. Here’s what you should know. Continue reading…
VACCINE SHORTAGE – As a bacterial infection spreads globally, some public health officials are calling for a ramp-up of vaccine production. Continue reading…
FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS
Fox News First
Fox News Opinion
Fox News Lifestyle
Fox News Health
Fox News Autos
Fox News Entertainment (FOX411)
DOWNLOAD OUR APPS
Fox News
Fox Business
Fox Weather
Fox Sports
Tubi
WATCH FOX NEWS ONLINE
Fox News Go
STREAM FOX NATION
Fox Nation
Health
The Oatzempic Diet Is Going Viral, but Does It Work? Here’s How To Tap Real Weight Loss Benefits
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
Forgot your password?
Get back to the Sign In
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Health
Grieving during Mother’s Day: 5 tips for navigating the first holiday after losing a mom
Mother’s Day is a celebration for most. Yet for those who have lost their moms, it can be a difficult day marked by grief and isolation.
“The first year after any loss can be awful, but the holidays stand out in particular,” noted Rebecca Feinglos, a certified grief support specialist in North Carolina and founder of Grieve Leave, an online community to support grievers.
“Your first Mother’s Day after the death of your mom can make her absence feel even more real. It’s a stark reminder of the permanence of the loss.”
3 SURPRISING LESSONS AFTER LOSING A SPOUSE AND TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD IN LIFE: ‘STILL EVOLVING’
For those who had a close bond with their mother, Feinglos said the absence can feel like a “gaping hole” in their everyday lives.
“And for those whose relationships with their mothers were less than ideal, Mother’s Day can bring up a whole different set of emotions,” she said.
“There may be a mix of grief for the relationship they never had, along with anger or resentment over past hurts.”
“The key is to be intentional about how you want to spend the day.”
It doesn’t help that Mother’s Day is a highly publicized holiday with such an emphasis on the mother-child relationship, Feinglos said.
“Everywhere you turn, there are advertisements, social media posts and conversations centered around celebrating mothers,” she said.
MOTHERS SHARE STORIES OF THEIR LIVES, PLUS TIPS AND INSPIRATION, IN ‘LOVE, MOM’ BY DR. NICOLE SAPHIER
“For those who have recently lost their mom, this constant barrage of Mother’s Day messaging can feel like salt in the wound, regardless of the circumstances of their relationship.”
For those who are approaching their first Mother’s Day after losing a mom, Feinglos offered five tips for navigating the difficult emotions.
1. Make a plan
“Trust me, you don’t want to wake up on your first motherless Mother’s Day with no idea of how to spend the day,” Feinglos said.
“That’s a recipe for a major grief spiral and for potentially doom-scrolling other people’s ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ posts.”
The expert recommends thinking in advance about what you might want your day to look like — and then planning for it.
HOLIDAY GRIEF CAN BE HANDLED IN THESE 9 WAYS, ACCORDING TO MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS
“It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Maybe it’s watching your mom’s favorite movies on Netflix, ordering her favorite takeout, or going for a hike on a trail you used to walk together,” she said.
“The key is to be intentional about how you want to spend the day.”
If you do decide to venture out, Feinglos said, it’s important to be prepared for Mother’s Day-focused events, including restaurant menu specials.
“If that feels like too much to handle, consider having an at-home dinner plan instead,” she suggested.
2. Reach out to others
Grief can be isolating, Feinglos said, and it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one in the world who has ever felt this way.
“But when you’re open and willing to ask for help, you might be surprised by how much better you’ll feel just saying that you’re having a tough time,” she said.
“Your first Mother’s Day after the death of your mom can make her absence feel even more real.”
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, Feinglos said to take the initiative in reaching out, rather than waiting for someone to contact you.
“Pick up the phone, send a text or even just post on social media about how you’re feeling,” she suggested.
“I have a feeling that your community will be ready and willing to offer their support.”
3. Let people support you
Those who are grieving may be afraid that they’re a burden on friends and loved ones, Feinglos noted.
“But here’s the thing: The people who care about you want to be there for you,” she said.
MOTHER’S DAY: THE BEST ONE-LINERS AND LIFE ADVICE I’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM MOM
“So, when your best friend offers to come over on Mother’s Day and hang out, or your sibling suggests a family Zoom call, say yes. Letting others show up for you can make the day feel a little less overwhelming.”
4. Create a ritual to make space for your grief
One of the most meaningful things you can do on Mother’s Day, according to Feinglos, is to “intentionally create a ritual that makes space for your grief.”
“That could mean writing your late mother a letter and burning it or casting it into a body of water, visiting a place that was special to both of you, listening to her favorite music — or doing something that reflects her values and passions,” she said.
The idea is to do something intentional that helps you feel connected to your mom, even though she’s not physically there, the expert said.
“By creating space for your grief, you’re giving yourself permission to feel all the complicated emotions that come with loss.”
“Your relationship with your person can continue even when they’ve died,” Feinglos said.
GRATITUDE OVERSHADOWS GREAT LOSS, SAYS AUTHOR OF BOOK ABOUT LOSING WIFE TO CANCER
“By creating space for your grief, you’re giving yourself permission to feel all the complicated emotions that come with loss.”
5. Know that there are different shades of grief
Grief doesn’t follow any rules or timelines, Feinglos said — and it can look completely different from one person to the next, especially because every bond is unique.
“There’s no one ‘normal’ way grief plays out,” she said.
“For some, it might hit like a tsunami of tears, especially on gut-punch days like Mother’s Day.”
“Maybe you vacillate between being present one moment and feeling utterly numb the next, laughing through tears one day and feeling bitter anger the next.”
On a day like Mother’s Day, Feinglos said, you might find that your thoughts loop back to your loved one regularly, or you could tend to avoid anything that could stir up memories.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Whatever way your grief manifests, Feinglos emphasized the importance of not trying to suppress or ignore it.
“When we disregard our grief, it can pop back up in ways that are really inconvenient, or even scary — like lashing out at loved ones, feeling hopeless or [engaging in] risky behaviors,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Give yourself the space and time to relearn what your life is like now with this loss in mind,” she continued.
“At its core, grief underscores one truth: You’re alive, you’re human, and you’re going through a loss.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
-
Politics1 week ago
House Republicans brace for spring legislative sprint with one less GOP vote
-
World1 week ago
At least four dead in US after dozens of tornadoes rip through Oklahoma
-
Politics1 week ago
Stefanik hits special counsel Jack Smith with ethics complaint, accuses him of election meddling
-
Politics7 days ago
The White House has a new curator. Donna Hayashi Smith is the first Asian American to hold the post
-
Politics1 week ago
Anti-Trump DA's no-show at debate leaves challenger facing off against empty podium
-
News1 week ago
As student protesters get arrested, they risk being banned from campus too
-
News1 week ago
Video: Police Arrest Columbia Protesters Occupying Hamilton Hall
-
World1 week ago
Nine on trial in Germany over alleged far-right coup plot