Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
What?
Measles is a virus.
Mumps is a virus.
Rubella (or German measles) is a virus.
How it is caught?
Measles is an airborne disease, spread by coughs and sneezes.
Mumps is a highly infectious disease spread by sneezing and coughing.
Rubella is a highly infectious disease spread by sneezing and coughing.
What does it do?
Measles causes a fever and rash, then cough, cold and conjunctivitis. Complications of the disease include diarrhoea, pneumonia, ear infections and inflammation of the brain.
Mumps causes a fever, swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands.
Rubella causes symptoms akin to the common cold. In pregnancy the disease can cause miscarriage or birth defects.
Can they be treated?
No.
Where is it?
Measles affects about 20 million people a year, predominantly in developing countries, but outbreaks occur in areas where vaccine uptake is poor.
Mumps is commonly found in Asia, Africa and South America, with occasional cases in other areas of the world.
Rubella is commonly found in Asia, Africa and South America, with occasional cases in other areas of the world.
How is it prevented?
Vaccine. Measles vaccine is part of the UK schedule. If you have not had two doses of a measles, mumps and rubella containing vaccine you should obtain this ASAP.
NB: The Exeter Travel Clinic has chosen not to provide the single Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccines.