Measles, Mumps and Rubella: What to Know

Thanks to previously high vaccination rates in the U.S., outbreaks of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) are not as common as they once were. However, these diseases still appear in the U.S., making vaccination against them very important.

“The MMR vaccine protects against these three highly contagious viral diseases—measles, mumps and rubella—preventing possible serious complications, outbreaks and even death in individuals and communities,” says Elizabeth Berry, nurse practitioner at Valley Health | Family Medicine Front Royal. “Choosing not to vaccinate increases these risks. Maintaining high vaccine rates is needed to limit the spread of these diseases.”

What are Measles, Mumps and Rubella?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Measles is very contagious. It causes a fever and rash, along with a cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Complications can range from an ear infection to brain damage and death, especially for those under the age of 5.

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus that affects the salivary glands. It causes fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen salivary glands. Complications can include swelling of the testicles or ovaries, deafness, inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis/meningitis) and, rarely, death.

Rubella is usually mild, with few noticeable symptoms. For children, a red rash sometimes appears on their face. Rubella can also cause fever, sore throat, headache, and red, itchy eyes. Pregnant women who contract rubella can have a miscarriage or a child with serious birth defects.

Getting Vaccinated against MMR

Anyone who has not received the two-dose MMR vaccine is advised to get it, including children and older adults who were born after 1957 and were vaccinated before 1968 (since early versions of the vaccine were made with an inactivated virus and were not as effective as current vaccines).

If you have received two doses of the vaccine, you are considered immune for life and do not need a booster. If you are unsure of your vaccine status, please talk to your primary care provider.

The MMR vaccine has been well studied and found to be safe and highly effective in preventing measles, mumps and rubella. Common adverse reactions include pain at injection site, fever, rash and swollen lymph glands. These side effects are usually mild and resolve within a few days. Extremely rare side effects include allergic reaction and small increased risk of febrile seizures.

“The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics, along with other health organizations, agree that the vaccine has no link to increased rates of autism,” Berry says. “The benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks. It is important to follow the vaccine schedule and contact your doctor with any questions or concerns.”

To find a primary care provider, please visit www.valleyhealthlink.com/find-a-doctor.