Measles, mumps and rubella: prevention
What are measles, mumps and rubella?
Measles, mumps and rubella are infections caused by three different viruses. They usually affect children, but you can catch them at any age. Most children make a full recovery. But some get serious complications that can cause long-term problems. Rubella is usually a mild illness, but it can damage your unborn child if you catch it while you're pregnant.
Measles spreads very easily from person to person. Mumps and rubella (also called German measles) do not spread so easily.
hildren are more likely to catch measles, mumps and rubella if they haven't been vaccinated against them.
You are most likely to catch one of these
infections by breathing in droplets in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
1 These droplets contain the
virus that causes the infection. You can also catch rubella by touching someone who has the infection. And there's a possibility
that the mumps virus may also be spread though urine.
infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
Source:
Richardson M, Elliman D, MaGuire H, et al.
Evidence base of incubation periods, periods of infectiousness and exclusion policies for the control of communicable diseases in schools and preschools.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2001; 20: 380-391.
Richardson M, Elliman D, MaGuire H, et al.
Evidence base of incubation periods, periods of infectiousness and exclusion policies for the control of communicable diseases in schools and preschools.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2001; 20: 380-391.
viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
If you are infected, you can pass on these diseases before you see any symptoms, such as a rash or swelling. To find out more,
see How long am I infectious?
Your child is more likely to catch these infections if they haven't been
vaccinated against them. But there are some other things that make a child more likely to catch the infections. These are called risk factors. They include:
2
vaccination
A vaccination is an injection a doctor can give you to protect you from getting an infectious illness (an illness that spreads between people).
A vaccination is an injection a doctor can give you to protect you from getting an infectious illness (an illness that spreads between people).
Source:
Elliman D, Sengupta N, El Bashir H, et al.
Measles, mumps and rubella: prevention.
BMJ Clinical Evidence [online]. February 2007. Available at http://www.clinicalevidence.com (accessed on 18 August 2008).
Elliman D, Sengupta N, El Bashir H, et al.
Measles, mumps and rubella: prevention.
BMJ Clinical Evidence [online]. February 2007. Available at http://www.clinicalevidence.com (accessed on 18 August 2008).
-
Low "herd immunity." This means that not enough of the children where you live have been vaccinated. The more people who have been vaccinated,
the more difficult it is for the virus to pass from person to person. If you live in an area where not many people have been
vaccinated, your child has more chance of catching the virus
Source:
Elliman D, Sengupta N, El Bashir H, et al.
Measles, mumps and rubella: prevention.
BMJ Clinical Evidence [online]. February 2007. Available at http://www.clinicalevidence.com (accessed on 18 August 2008).
2 - Overcrowding. When people live close together, measles, mumps and rubella viruses are more easily spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
antibodies
Antibodies are an important part of your immune system. They are proteins made by white blood cells (another part of your immune system). They help destroy bacteria and other agents that cause infections.
Antibodies are an important part of your immune system. They are proteins made by white blood cells (another part of your immune system). They help destroy bacteria and other agents that cause infections.
However, during recent outbreaks of measles in the United States, more babies caught the disease than was expected. That's
because babies born to vaccinated mothers have fewer antibodies than babies of mothers who have been naturally infected with
measles.
3
4
Source:
Pabst HF, Spady DW, Marusyk RG, et al.
Reduced measles immunity in infants in a well-vaccinated population.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 1992; 11: 525-529.
Pabst HF, Spady DW, Marusyk RG, et al.
Reduced measles immunity in infants in a well-vaccinated population.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 1992; 11: 525-529.
Source:
Brugha R, Ramsay M, Forsey T, et al.
A study of maternally derived measles antibody in infants born to naturally infected and vaccinated women.
Epidemiological Infections. 1996; 117: 519-524.
Brugha R, Ramsay M, Forsey T, et al.
A study of maternally derived measles antibody in infants born to naturally infected and vaccinated women.
Epidemiological Infections. 1996; 117: 519-524.
If you or your child catches measles, mumps or rubella, there's no treatment that can get rid of the viruses. Your own body
will get rid of the infection naturally. But you can take painkillers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to make you feel better in the meantime.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Richardson M, Elliman D, MaGuire H, et al.Evidence base of incubation periods, periods of infectiousness and exclusion policies for the control of communicable diseases in schools and preschools.Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2001; 20: 380-391.
- Elliman D, Sengupta N, El Bashir H, et al.Measles, mumps and rubella: prevention.BMJ Clinical Evidence [online]. February 2007. Available at http://www.clinicalevidence.com (accessed on 18 August 2008).
- Pabst HF, Spady DW, Marusyk RG, et al.Reduced measles immunity in infants in a well-vaccinated population.Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 1992; 11: 525-529.
- Brugha R, Ramsay M, Forsey T, et al.A study of maternally derived measles antibody in infants born to naturally infected and vaccinated women.Epidemiological Infections. 1996; 117: 519-524.
This information was last updated on Aug 29, 2008
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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Source: ConsumerReportsHealth.org Copyright © 2005-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
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