SAN MARCOS – Two cases of the mumps have been confirmed at Texas State University.

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The number of cases could rise to four with two more possible mumps infections among students who are close friends, according to the university.

School officials said the students attended classes on campus while they were still contagious. One of the students also works at the San Marcos outlet mall.

While the mumps vaccination is not mandatory, it is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

The mumps is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread from close contact with an infected person. Symptoms of the illness include swollen salivary glands, swollen testicles, low-grade fever, fatigue, and muscle aches.

The spreading of mumps occurs through saliva or from respiratory droplets created when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The incubation time for symptoms to arise can take up to 25 days, but usually shows signs in 14 to 18 days. 

People who have tested positive for mumps are contagious for three to five days after symptoms appear. However, the Texas Department of State Health Services said infected people can transmit the virus even without showing symptoms. 

The TDSHS said the best way to protect against mumps is to get the vaccine. The mumps vaccine was created in 1967 and was mostly eradicated until a trend arose in Texas in 2016 with 191 cases reported, according to TDSHS.

The Texas State Student Health Center will evaluate any suspected cases among faculty, staff and students.