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QUINCY, ILL. -- Quincy University students are being urged to take precautions as reports of mumps arise on campus.

The Adams County Health Department and QU are working together closely to reduce the spread of the disease. All Students have received information from the school about mumps and will be given the opportunity to receive a MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccination to reduce their risk of contracting the disease.

Symptoms of the mumps may include fever, headache, muscle ache and swelling of the salivary glands. Infections occur through direct contact with respiratory  droplets from the nose or throat, through saliva, coughing, sneezing, or from surfaces that have been contaminated.

The best way to deal with mumps is prevention. Because mumps is a viral infection, it does not respond to antibiotic treatment. Following infection, you can help relieve the symptoms with ice or heat packs applied to the neck area and by taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) for relief. (Do not give aspirin to children with a viral illness because of the risk of Reye syndrome.)

You can also relieve symptoms with:

Extra fluids
Soft foods
Warm salt water gargles

Campus officials ask that any student experiencing symptoms call Annetta Phillipi at the QU Wellness Center at 217-220-3954.

The Adams County Health Department will be provide University students and staff free MMR vaccinations in the QU cafeteria on Thursday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The general public can get vaccinations at the the Health Departments regular clinic Monday 1-6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday 1-4 p.m.