Measles, mumps, and rubella are illnesses that may be transmitted by airborne droplets released during coughing or sneezing.
Measles (also known as rubeola) is a highly contagious viral illness of the respiratory tract that primarily affects children; it causes a distinctive rash, fever, and cough, and may result in complications, including infection of the middle ear, lungs, and brain.
Mumps is an acute, usually mild viral infection of childhood that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps complications can develop, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), the protective membranes of the brain (meningitis) and, in males after puberty, swelling and tenderness of one or both testes (orchitis).
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a mild viral infection that causes fever, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, and a distinctive rash; however, it can cause severe birth defects (congenital rubella syndrome) if a woman becomes infected during early pregnancy.
The number of people affected by these diseases has fallen dramatically in the United States since vaccines were developed. Despite the rarity of theses diseases in the United States, vaccination is still recommended for a number of reasons:
Individuals who visit or emigrate from countries that do not vaccinate against measles can spread the virus to those who are not immune.
Measles that develops during pregnancy can cause early labor and miscarriage.
The most serious complications of mumps occur more frequently in adults than children, including orchitis (leading to sterility in men), neurologic complications, and a risk of fetal death if the infection is acquired in early pregnancy.
A well-immunized childhood population serves to protect almost everyone, including adults as well as other children.
Timing and dose — The first dose of MMR is administered at 12 to 15 months of age. A second dose is recommended routinely before school entry (between 4 and 6 years of age).
MMR vaccine precautions — Common side effects of the MMR vaccine include a mild rash or fever; these may be seen one to two weeks after the vaccine is given, and usually lasts one to three days.
Reasons to avoid the MMR vaccine include pregnancy, some immune system conditions, use of medications that weaken the immune system, cancer, or a severe allergy to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin. Immunization should be delayed in children with significant illness, with or without a fever, and in those who have recently received a blood transfusion or other blood product (eg, serum immune globulin).
Concern has been raised about a possible link between the MMR vaccine, autism, autism spectrum disorder, and type 1 diabetes. To date, no study has provided evidence that such a link exists.
MMR vaccine effectiveness — When given on time, the MMR vaccine protects more than 99 percent of children from developing measles and 95 percent of children from developing mumps and rubella.
Measles (also known as rubeola) is a highly contagious viral illness of the respiratory tract that primarily affects children; it causes a distinctive rash, fever, and cough, and may result in complications, including infection of the middle ear, lungs, and brain.
Mumps is an acute, usually mild viral infection of childhood that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps complications can develop, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), the protective membranes of the brain (meningitis) and, in males after puberty, swelling and tenderness of one or both testes (orchitis).
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a mild viral infection that causes fever, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, and a distinctive rash; however, it can cause severe birth defects (congenital rubella syndrome) if a woman becomes infected during early pregnancy.
The number of people affected by these diseases has fallen dramatically in the United States since vaccines were developed. Despite the rarity of theses diseases in the United States, vaccination is still recommended for a number of reasons:
Individuals who visit or emigrate from countries that do not vaccinate against measles can spread the virus to those who are not immune.
Measles that develops during pregnancy can cause early labor and miscarriage.
The most serious complications of mumps occur more frequently in adults than children, including orchitis (leading to sterility in men), neurologic complications, and a risk of fetal death if the infection is acquired in early pregnancy.
A well-immunized childhood population serves to protect almost everyone, including adults as well as other children.
Timing and dose — The first dose of MMR is administered at 12 to 15 months of age. A second dose is recommended routinely before school entry (between 4 and 6 years of age).
MMR vaccine precautions — Common side effects of the MMR vaccine include a mild rash or fever; these may be seen one to two weeks after the vaccine is given, and usually lasts one to three days.
Reasons to avoid the MMR vaccine include pregnancy, some immune system conditions, use of medications that weaken the immune system, cancer, or a severe allergy to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin. Immunization should be delayed in children with significant illness, with or without a fever, and in those who have recently received a blood transfusion or other blood product (eg, serum immune globulin).
Concern has been raised about a possible link between the MMR vaccine, autism, autism spectrum disorder, and type 1 diabetes. To date, no study has provided evidence that such a link exists.
MMR vaccine effectiveness — When given on time, the MMR vaccine protects more than 99 percent of children from developing measles and 95 percent of children from developing mumps and rubella.
