MMR VACCINE - MEASLES VACCINE - MUMPS VACCINE - RUBELLA VACCINE - ADULT IMMUNIZATION - ADULT VACCINATION

What is measles?
Measles is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the measles virus. It can result in severe complications including pneumonia, seizures, permanent brain damage and death. It spreads very easily through coughing and sneezing. In fact, if one person has measles, 9 out of 10 of his or her close contacts will get it too, unless they are immunized.

What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation and fever.

What is mumps?
Mumps is caused by the mumps virus, which lives and reproduces in the upper respiratory tract. It is spread through mucus or saliva when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Mumps can lead to serious complications such as deafness, meningoencephalitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and, rarely, death.

What are the symptoms of mumps?
Mumps’ symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite, followed by swelling of the salivary glands. The parotid salivary glands (which are located within the cheek, near the jaw line, below the ears) are most frequently affected, giving the cheeks a puffy appearance.

What is rubella?
Rubella, also known as German measles, is caused by the rubella virus. It is spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. While rubella is typically mild in children, adults tend to have more complications. The main concern with rubella, however, is infection in pregnant women. There is at least a 20 percent chance of serious damage to the fetus if a woman is infected with rubella early in pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of rubella?
Older children and adults with rubella usually first suffer from low-grade fever, swollen glands, and upper respiratory infection, before they develop a rash. In addition, adult women often develop pain and stiffness in their fingers, wrists and knee joints, which may last up to a month.

Which adults should get vaccinated?
The MMR vaccine is a “three-in-one” vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Adults born in 1957 or later who do not have evidence of immunity (i.e., proof of disease or proof of vaccination) should receive the vaccine. Women who may become pregnant and/or do not have evidence of rubella immunity should be sure to receive rubella vaccination.

The MMR vaccine is effective in preventing disease caused by these viruses in up to 95 percent of recipients after one dose.

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Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Information