Most children who have measles recover completely in a week to 10 days. But in the past, before children were

 

 

 

 

 

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).

 

 

 

 

 

vaccinated against measles, almost 7 in 100 people got complications from the illness.

 

 

 

 

 

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).

 

 

 

 

 

¹

Complications from measles can be temporary problems, such as having

 

 

 

 

 

seizure
A seizure is a sudden spasm of muscles caused by too much electrical activity in the brain. It results in muscle twitching and other symptoms.

 

 

 

 

 

seizures or

 

 

 

 

 

diarrhea
Diarrhea is when you have loose, watery stools and you need to go to the bathroom far more often than usual. Doctors say you have diarrhea if you need to go to the bathroom more than three times a day.

 

 

 

 

 

diarrhea, or very serious problems, such as brain damage.

To learn more, see Complications of measles.

Most people who have mumps recover completely after a week to 10 days. But some people get serious complications that can lead to long-term health problems. The most important problems affect the nervous system,

 

 

 

 

 

pancreas
Your pancreas is an organ that's behind your stomach. It makes several different chemicals. Some of the chemicals help your body digest food. Your pancreas also makes a chemical called insulin, which helps your body use the sugar in your blood.

 

 

 

 

 

pancreas, ears and testicles.

To learn more, see Complications of mumps.

It's rare for children with rubella to have complications from the disease. Most people recover completely within eight to 12 days. But if you are pregnant and catch rubella in the first few months of pregnancy, the virus is likely to harm your unborn baby.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
McAlister Gregg N.
Congenital cataract following German measles in the mother.
Transactions of the Ophthalmological Society of Australia. 1941; 3: 35-46.

 

 

 

 

 

² This is known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

To learn more, see Complications of rubella.

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