MMR (Mumps, Measles,
and Rubella)
MMR Vaccine Fact Sheet (PDF
38 KB) Español (PDF 224 KB)
Measles
Measles is a highly
contagious rash illness caused by the measles virus and is transmitted by direct
contact with infectious droplets or, less commonly, by airborne spread.
Measles begins with fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes.
These symptoms usually worsen over three days, with the cough tending to be
worse at night. There may be small white spots on a red base present inside
the mouth.
By the 3rd to 7th day, a rash appears at the hairline and spreads over
the entire body within 24 to 48 hours. Once the rash has spread to the legs,
it begins to fade on the head and face, usually disappearing fully after six
days.
About 30% of reported cases have one or more complications. Complications
occur most often in children younger than 5 years and adults older than 20
years of age.
Serious complications are:
- Pneumonia: occurs in 6% of reported cases.
- Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain): occurs in 0.1% of reported
cases; of those, 15% die, and 25% suffer some form of brain damage.
- Death: 1-2 cases per 1,000 cases.
Women who develop measles during pregnancy have a higher risk of
premature labor, spontaneous abortion, and low birth weight infants.
Mumps
Mumps is an acute viral illness, which causes swelling in one or more
salivary glands, usually the parotid glands. Mumps is transmitted by direct
contact with saliva and discharges from the nose and throat of infected
individuals. Approximately one-third of infected people do not show
symptoms. Immunity acquired after contracting the disease is usually
permanent.
Symptoms of mumps include:
- Fever
- Swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands, usually
the parotid gland (located just below the front of the ear).
Usually the disease is mild, but the following complications can occur:
- Swelling of the testicles occurs in 15-25% of infected adolescent or
adult males.
- Mumps can also cause central nervous system disorders, such as
encephalitis (swelling of the brain) or meningitis (swelling of the lining
of the brain and spinal cord).
Rubella
Rubella (German measles) is a rash illness that is caused by the rubella
virus. Rubella is usually a mild disease in children; adults tend to have
more complications. The main concern with rubella disease is congenital
rubella syndrome (CRS) that occurs when a pregnant woman is infected during
the first trimester of pregnancy.
CRS can affect all organ systems of the fetus. It can lead to fetal
death, spontaneous abortion, premature delivery, or serious birth defects.
The prevention of CRS is the main objective of rubella vaccination programs
in the U.S.
Rubella is spread person-to-person through the air by respiratory
secretions (coughing and sneezing). Up to half of people infected with
rubella virus have no symptoms at all, but they may still transmit the
disease. Symptoms of rubella, when present, include:
- Children usually first break out in a rash, which starts on the face
and progresses down the body.
- Older children and adults usually first suffer from low-grade fever,
swollen glands in the neck or behind the ears, and upper respiratory
infection before they develop a rash.
- Adult women often develop pain and stiffness in their fingers, wrists,
and knee joints, which may last up to a month.
MMR: Vaccine |
Disease | Safety |
Questions & Answers
Please Note: All information is general in
nature and should
not substitute seeking proper medical attention.
Citation: This information has been
compiled from resources provided by the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC). For more information on the CDC, visit their
website at:
www.cdc.gov/.
Immunization Program
Boulder County Public Health
3450 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304, (303) 413-7500
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