"You assess the situation based on the clinical symptoms, and that's why the diagnosis is probable," Spear said. "The only way you can have a definite diagnosis is based on blood tests."
UHS will not release any information about the student's identity or about his or her case. But Spear said UHS has been in contact with people who have been in close proximity to the individual to let them know the symptoms.
Two Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccinations are required for Penn State students, but even students who have been vaccinated can contract mumps, Spear said.
"[MMR vaccinations are] a requirement, but the problem is that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective," Spear said, citing a couple of fairly significant clusters of cases in which many of the people infected with mumps had the recommended vaccine.
"Some people who are vaccinated don't retain long-lasted immunity," she said.
Because of the vaccination, mumps is relatively rare, Center for Disease Control (CDC) spokesman Curtis Allen said.
One dose of the vaccine can protect against about 80 percent of cases; two doses -- the recommended amount -- can prevent about 90 percent of cases, Allen said.
Still, he said, "we did have a major outbreak of mumps in the Midwest ... most of those were on college campuses." Because of the confinement in college dorms, classes and cafeterias, there "can be outbreaks on campuses."
Last year more than 6,000 cases were reported nationally; usually there are between 250 and 300 cases per year, Allen said.
Typical symptoms include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and swelling of the parotid glands, salivary glands in the cheeks.
"The cheeks swell up kind of like a chipmunk's," Spear said. While some symptoms can be mistaken for other viruses, if cheek swelling occurs, students should "absolutely seek medical treatment," she added.
Mumps is a communicable disease caused by a virus that spreads through direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva.
Mumps can have fairly significant complications involving the central nervous system such as headache, irritability, confusion and testicular swelling and sterility in men, Spear said.
Hearing loss and meningitis can also result from a case of the mumps, Allen said, though "most cases resolve without a lot of complications."
A serious case can take up to 10 days to heal, but a mild case can heal in a few days. There is no medication to cure the virus, but UHS sometimes treats symptoms like fever, Spear said.
"It's just something that basically the body fights off the infection itself," she said.
As a precaution, Spear advised students to follow some common sense health tips --staying well-nourished, getting enough sleep, covering the mouth when coughing, washing hands, and avoiding sharing utensils and glasses. Her main advice is, "basically to avoid contact with other people because if it is mumps, it is fairly contagious."
No other cases of mumps have been reported to UHS.
To get vaccinated or to be examined, students can make an appointment at UHS.
