The University has been advised of a number of confirmed cases of mumps within the student population at Sussex.
Students are more likely to catch mumps than their peers because they are in such close contact with so many other young people.
You need two doses of the MMR vaccine to be properly protected and it is good practice for everyone under the age of 25 to be fully immunised in accordance with the recommendations of the Department of Health.
In general, mumps is a mild illness but can be unpleasant, and serious complications occur in a small number of cases. Symptoms begin with a headache and fever for a day or two, before the swelling of the neck glands that characterises the disease.
If you feel unwell or are unsure whether you have been immunised, please phone your GP's surgery for advice.
You are also advised that, if you have suspected mumps, you should avoid coming into contact with other people for five days from the onset of the swelling.
Immunisations are free to all NHS registered patients and are available from your GP's surgery, whether that be the Health Centre on campus or elsewhere.
