Kissing Epidemic!

Ok. So there really isn’t a kissing epidemic. I just wanted to say that. I also figured it would get your attention.

However, there is growing concern over a Mumps epidemic in Iowa that may be spreading throughout the midwestern United States. There are 515 suspected cases of the kissing disease (see, the title wasn’t totally off-topic) reported in Iowa. As of Monday, Nebraska has 43 reported cases; Kansas, 33; Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin, four; and one in Minnesota.

Mumps is a virus-caused illness spread by coughing and sneezing. The most common symptoms are fever, headache and swollen salivary glands under the jaw. But it can lead to more severe problems, such as hearing loss, meningitis and fertility-diminishing swollen testicles.

That list bit scares the bejeesus out of me: “fertility-diminishing swollen testicles.” That’s just mean.

On the brighter side of things, no one has died in this epidemic. In other good news, my testicles should be safe here in New York–far, far away from those kissy-faced Midwesterners.

Read Article [NY Times]

Tagged: Epidemic, Medicine, Kissing