Aren measles, mumps and rubella relatively harmless illnesses?
A. Measles is a highly contagious serious viral infection. The illness is characterized by a rash, but the virus can also spread through the body causing pneumonia, diarrhea, or ear infections in up to 10% of people. In addition, it can cause an infection of the brain (encephalitis), which can cause permanent brain damage. Approximately 20% of people with measles will be hospitalized and for every 1,000 people who get measles, 1 to 2 will die. Measles vaccine (contained in MMR, MR and measles vaccines) can prevent this disease. Mumps causes fever, headache and swelling of one or both cheeks or sides of the jaw. Four to six persons out of 100 who get mumps will get meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain. Inflammation of the testicles, which may lead to sterility, occurs in about 4 of every 10 adult males who get mumps. Mumps also may result in hearing loss, which is usually permanent. Rubella is also known as German measles. Rubella is a mild disease in children and youn
Measles Highly contagious respiratory disease Causes rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, lasting about a week Causes ear infections and pneumonia in 1 out of every 12 children who get it Causes encephalitis that can lead to convulsions, deafness or mental retardation in 1 to 2 of every 2,000 people who get it In 1989-90, there was a measles epidemic, resulting in 55,000 cases of measles, 11,000 hospitalizations, and 123 deaths. The majority of these cases were in unimmunized preschool children. Of every 1,000 people who get measles, 1 to 2 will die Measles vaccine (contained in MMR, MR and measles vaccines) can prevent this disease Mumps Causes fever, headache and swelling of one or both cheeks or sides of the jaw Four to six persons out of 100 who get mumps will get meningitis Inflammation of the testicles occurs in about 4 of every 10 adult males who get mumps, which may lead to sterility May result in hearing loss, which is usually permanent Rubella Also known
