15 UK students report swollen salivary glands

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – At least 15 University of Kentucky students have sought medical attention because of swollen salivary glands over the past week and a half.

Media outlets report that on Friday, university administration sent an email to students, urging anyone with the symptom to visit the UK Health Service. UK HealthCare spokeswoman Kristi Lopez tells the Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/1PBtIVy) that the university has tested students for mumps, but the tests have come back negative.

Swollen salivary glands, or parotitis, can be caused by various kinds of viruses and bacterial infections.

The email says that university officials have consulted with Infection Prevention and Control workers and the Kentucky Department of Public Health about the situation. Students with parotitis have been asked to isolate themselves for five days, or to wear a mask.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.