SPRINGDALE (KFSM) -- There was a total of 64 suspected and confirmed cases of mumps in Northwest Arkansas Wednesday (Sept. 7), according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
The ADH said the number of cases went down to 64 from 73 the day before because nine people tested negative for the virus. The suspected and confirmed cases have been found in both adults and children and are confined to the city of Springdale, according to the health department.
The Springdale School District also updated their case numbers Wednesday. Spokesman Rick Schaeffer said there was on additional suspected case of mumps, bringing the total of cases in students to 31 in 18 schools. However, two of three staff members tested negative for the virus.
Students with confirmed or suspected cases of mumps will be out of school for 26 days unless they test negative.
Pharmacist Julie Stewart, who works at Medical Art Pharmacy & Medical Supply, said mumps symptoms can be worse in adults than in children.
"The symptoms along with that are going to be fever," she said. "So anytime you have a high fever or if it gets too high there are problems with that; dehydration and a lot of complications that go along with it can possibly get you hospitalized."
If you did get the vaccine as a child, Stewart said you still have the same immunity as an adult even decades later.
"If you don't have your vaccination records and aren't sure if you were vaccinated as a child, it is okay to just get the vaccine to just be safe," she said.
The MMR vaccine, which covers mumps, measles and rubella, is given to children in two doses. The first dose is given at 12 to 15 months old and the second when children are four to six years old.
Stewart said the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the possible side effects.
"The biggest thing is going to be soreness in the arm or they might have a mild low grade fever or possibly a small rash along the sight of the injection but for the most part the reaction should be mild," she said.
And if you've had the mumps, Stewart said that's like getting the vaccine, so you shouldn't get the virus again.