An outbreak of mumps is continuing to spread across the North East with more than 180 reported cases in just one week.

The latest data from Public Health England (PHE) shows there were 183 reports of the infectious disease in the week ending January 19.

This is almost double the 95 reported cases in the region in the week ending January 12, and another sharp rise from 74 in the week ending January 5.

A significant number of the new cases were in Sunderland, which had 60 reports.

It means there have been 352 reports of mumps in the North East since the start of the year - by far the highest numbers in England.

A PHE report showed there were 29 cases in the North East between July and September last year.

The breakdown of new cases for January 13-19 is Gateshead, 14; Newcastle, 27; North Tyneside, 18; South Tyneside, 19; Sunderland, 60; County Durham, 21; Northumberland, 11; Darlington, 1; Middlesbrough, 3; Hartlepool, 4 and Redcar and Cleveland, 5.

Fergus Neilson, PHE North East, Screening and Immunisation Manager, said: “We have seen a rise in the number of  cases of mumps in recent years and anyone who has not had two doses of MMR vaccine are particularly vulnerable.

“We would urge any children, students at university and those travelling abroad who haven’t received two doses of MMR vaccine to visit their GP to do so. MMR also gives immunity to measles and rubella.”

At the end of November last year, Newcastle University issued a warning that mumps "is circulating in students in parts of England including Newcastle, particularly among 15-25 year olds".

They advised: "If you think that you have mumps, contact your GP surgery or NHS 111 for advice. We would advise students with suspected mumps NOT to attend lectures or mix with other students until 5 days after the onset of swelling to help prevent spreading mumps to others whom may not be protected. 

"The best protection against mumps is to ensure you have had two doses of the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination. If you are unsure about your vaccine status, you can speak to your GP surgery who will be able to check your records and arrange for the vaccine if needed. There are no risks to your health if you get an extra dose."

Traditionally known as the 'kissing disease' because it spreads fast between groups of young people, mumps is a contagious viral infection that affects the salivary glands and often causes puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw.

In severe cases it can develop into viral meningitis if it moves in the outer layer of the brain. Other complications include swelling of the testicles or ovaries (if the affected person has gone through puberty) which may affect a person's fertility.

Children are most commonly hit by it, but teens and adults who haven't been vaccinated can be at risk too as well as those who haven't had two doses of the MMR vaccine.

How do you actually catch mumps?

"Mumps can be spread in the same way we catch colds, as it's an airborne virus," explains Thiyagarajan. "An infected person coughing or sneezing and releasing tiny droplets of saliva, which are inhaled by someone else, spreads the illness."

If an infected person touches shared surfaces, such as desks or door handles, after wiping their mouth, this could also potentially spread contaminated saliva.

"You're infectious from two days before the onset of mumps symptoms, to nine days afterwards. Even if you don't appear to be showing any symptoms, you can still be infectious, which is why mumps can spread so easily," Thiyagarajan adds.

Good hand hygiene - regularly washing your hands with soap and water - is always a good idea, and avoid sharing drinks, food and utensils, as these can all potentially spread the mumps virus from person to person too.

What are the symptoms of mumps?

"The initial symptoms of mumps are not too dissimilar to those of the flu, and start about two to three weeks after you've contracted the illness," says Thiyagarajan.

Headaches, a high temperature, loss of appetite, fatigue, muscle and joint aches are all indications you may be infected. A couple of days after initial symptoms surface, you may develop earache and it may hurt to chew and swallow. Then there's the telltale mumps swelling, and people can feel really quite unwell.

"In adults, the symptoms can occasionally be a little worse and may develop into swollen testicles or ovaries. Swollen ovaries can cause pain in a woman's [abdomen] and a swollen testicle may cause some discomfort too, but this varies case-by-case," Thiyagarajan adds.

He notes that it's always advisable to seek medical advice if you experience anything like unusual swelling of the testicles or abdominal pain, as it may be necessary to rule out any other possible causes too.

Can mumps be dangerous?

It might make you quite poorly, but the NHS says that mumps usually passes without causing serious damage to a person's health. However, in more rare cases, complications can develop, so it's important to be aware.

"Reports of serious complications of mumps are rare, but include viral meningitis and pancreatitis, of which the main symptom is pain in centre of your tummy," says Thiyagarajan, who urges that you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of this.

For children who haven't been vaccinated and show symptoms of mumps, it's vital they visit a doctor to be checked. "Equally, pregnant women that suspect they may have the illness should seek medical advice as it can increase the chances of miscarriage, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy," notes Thiyagarajan.

There have also been associations of fertility problems in men who had mumps that badly affected their testicles, but this is generally rare too.

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Who is most at risk of mumps?

Basically, anyone who hasn't been properly vaccinated. "The MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988, meaning that cases of mumps may occur in adults who haven't received the vaccine during their childhood immunisation schedule," says Thiyagarajan.

"Today, the MMR vaccine is given on the NHS as a single injection to babies as part of their routine vaccination schedule, usually within a month of their first birthday. They then have a second injection of the vaccine before starting school, usually around four months after their third birthday.

"As the recent news has shown, outbreaks can still happen if people haven't been vaccinated, so it's important that you and your children are covered," says Thiyagarajan. "To find out if you've had the MMR injection, it's advised that you check with your GP."

Once you've been infected by the mumps virus, you normally develop a life-long immunity to further infection - so if you haven't had the injection but have experienced mumps already, you are considered lower-risk.

How is mumps treated?

If you're unlucky enough to catch mumps, Thiyagarajan says it's very much a case of letting the virus run its course, while making the usual efforts to relieve symptoms and avoid spreading it to others.

Mumps can make you feel really poorly, so bed rest is the best approach. Over-the-counter painkillers can help (a pharmacist or doctor can advise on the suitable options for children), and applying a warm or cool compress might help soothe swollen glands. It's a good idea to eat soft or liquidy foods, to avoid the discomfort of too much chewing, and getting plenty of fluids is vital.

If you're suffering with some of the more extreme symptoms such as swollen testicles, Thiyagarajan recommends seeing your GP as soon as possible - and check in with the doc if symptoms suddenly worsen.

Anybody with mumps should stay away from school or work for at least nine days after their symptoms first start to appear, unless otherwise instructed by their doctor.