Mumps Prevention
by adminMumps is a contagious viral disease, caused by the myxo virus, which has plagued the human race for centuries. The most common symptoms of mumps include headache, fever, loss of appetite, and swelling of the parotid and other glands. These symptoms are not usually serious, but mumps can cause some serious complications. Approximately 20% of infected people do not have any symptoms of mumps at all, and they are not aware that they even have the disease. Mumps is transmitted by airborne means or through direct contact with infected droplets or saliva, which are ejected from the body during coughing and sneezing. Vaccination is the best way to avoid the disease. A mumps vaccine can be given, but this only protects against mumps, so it is far more common for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to be given, as this immunizes the child against all 3 diseases.
Mumps, like all viral diseases, cannot be treated with antibiotics. Also like most viral illnesses, the best way to avoid mumps is via vaccination.
Even in developed countries, where vaccination programs are common, there are misguided and misinformed people who refuse vaccination for themselves and/or their children. To protect these foolish people, and visitors to your area from other countries who have not been vaccinated, contact should be limited until a medical diagnosis has been established excluding mumps, or until at least 4 days have passed since the symptoms subsided.
A mumps vaccine can be given, but this only protects against mumps. It is far more common for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to be given, as this immunizes the child against all 3 diseases.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine prevents measles, mumps, and rubella. These three vaccines are safe given together. MMR is an attenuated (weakened) live virus vaccine, which means that after injection, the viruses grow and cause a harmless version of the infection in the vaccinated person with no symptoms or very mild symptoms. After the vaccination, the person’s immune system fights the infection caused by the weakened versions of the measles-mumps-rubella viruses and life-long immunity develops.
Usually the MMR vaccine is given to children at 12 to 15 months of age. A second booster vaccination with MMR is often given between the ages of 4 and 12.
More than 95% of people who receive a single dose of MMR will achieve life-long immunity to all three diseases. The second vaccination with MMR confers life-long immunity to those who did not fully respond to the first vaccination.
A benefit of having suffered mumps is life-long immunity, and the MMR vaccine has a similar effect. If the worldwide uptake of any vaccine is high enough, the actual disease can be eradicated, as is the case with smallpox.
As with all immunization schedules, there are important exceptions and special circumstances. Consult your doctor for the latest information.
Mumps, like all viral diseases, cannot be treated with antibiotics. Also like most viral illnesses, the best way to avoid mumps is via vaccination.
Even in developed countries, where vaccination programs are common, there are misguided and misinformed people who refuse vaccination for themselves and/or their children. To protect these foolish people, and visitors to your area from other countries who have not been vaccinated, contact should be limited until a medical diagnosis has been established excluding mumps, or until at least 4 days have passed since the symptoms subsided.
A mumps vaccine can be given, but this only protects against mumps. It is far more common for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to be given, as this immunizes the child against all 3 diseases.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine prevents measles, mumps, and rubella. These three vaccines are safe given together. MMR is an attenuated (weakened) live virus vaccine, which means that after injection, the viruses grow and cause a harmless version of the infection in the vaccinated person with no symptoms or very mild symptoms. After the vaccination, the person’s immune system fights the infection caused by the weakened versions of the measles-mumps-rubella viruses and life-long immunity develops.
Usually the MMR vaccine is given to children at 12 to 15 months of age. A second booster vaccination with MMR is often given between the ages of 4 and 12.
More than 95% of people who receive a single dose of MMR will achieve life-long immunity to all three diseases. The second vaccination with MMR confers life-long immunity to those who did not fully respond to the first vaccination.
A benefit of having suffered mumps is life-long immunity, and the vaccine is has a similar effect. If the worldwide uptake of any vaccine is high enough, the actual disease can be eradicated, as is the case with smallpox.
As with all immunization schedules, there are important exceptions and special circumstances. Consult your doctor for the latest information.
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