Mumps is making a comeback.
At least 19 people in San Diego have come down with the mumps in 2016. That's more cases of the mumps this year than in the last five years combined.
Mumps is a highly contagious virus that’s spread by coughing, sneezing, or being in close contact with someone who’s infected.
Colleges nationwide have been especially hard hit. While a handful of cases have been reported at San Diego-area schools, including San Diego State and Cal State San Marcos, some colleges back East have seen hundreds of cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says mumps activity is at a 10-year high.
Symptoms include swollen salivary glands, a fever, and muscle aches. There’s no treatment for the virus except rest.
Mumps is preventable through the MMR vaccine. Two doses are recommended in early childhood.
