Vaccines have played an important role in decreasing the incidence of many childhood illnesses. Not only do vaccines protect your child, but by reducing the spread of diseases as a whole, they protect other children in your community.
One of the most important of these vaccines is the MMR vaccine. Perhaps because this vaccine's name is abbreviated, many parents don't know much about it or have questions about the role it plays in their child's health. Keep reading to learn about the protection the MMR vaccine gives your child.
What Diseases Does the MMR Vaccine Protect Against
The abbreviation MMR stands for measles, mumps, and rubella. The vaccine contains inactivated forms of the viruses that help your body build up a resistance to these three diseases. Each disease has its own symptoms and characteristics.
Measles
Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease that causes fever, dry cough, sore throat, and a characteristic blotchy skin rash.
The virus can spread from person to person via infected droplets that emerge when a person sneezes, coughs, or even speaks. Since the virus remains viable on surfaces for several hours, a child could contract measles after occupying a space that an infected person occupied hours before.
There is no specific cure for measles. Although many children do recover with proper medical care, measles can lead to deadly pneumonia and long-lasting side effects like encephalitis.
Vaccination is vital, especially now as measles has begun to make somewhat of a comeback in the United States.
Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection that attacks the salivary glands, causing a swollen neck and cheeks, fever, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, and pain while swallowing. It is easily passed from person to person via respiratory droplets.
Antibiotics are not effective against mumps, since it is a viral infection and not a bacterial one. Although most children recover, mumps can have lasting complications such as hearing loss, neurological problems, and heart problems.
Rubella
Also known as German measles, rubella is a viral disease that causes a mild fever, headache, stuffy nose, inflamed eyes, aching joints, and a rash. The rash first appears on the face, spreads to the trunk, and then spreads to the arms and legs.
Rubella is easily passed from person to person via respiratory droplets, and people can shed the virus before they even develop any symptoms.
Rubella is not usually as serious as mumps or measles, but it can cause serious complications in women who contract it while pregnant.
When Should Your Child Have Their MMR Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children receive their first MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age. They also need a second dose at least 28 days after the first dose; it is typically given between the ages of 4 and 6.
Is the MMR Vaccine Safe?
The MMR vaccine is much safer than leaving your child susceptible to measles, mumps, and rubella. Numerous studies have been conducted to confirm that the vaccine does not cause autism, as was many parents' concern.
Most children do not experience any side effects at all from the vaccine. Some have a mild fever or some aching, which pass within a day or two.
Is the MMR Vaccine Effective?
Some parents don't have their child vaccinated because they have heard that vaccines are not 100 percent effective. This is true, but some protection is definitely better than none when it comes to serious ailments like measles and mumps.
The MMR vaccine is also one of the most effective vaccines on the market. When children receive two doses, the vaccine is 97 percent effective against measles, 88 percent against mumps, and 97 percent against rubella.
Vaccinating your child against measles, mumps, and rubella is one of the best ways to protect them from serious childhood illnesses. If you have additional questions about the MMR vaccine or would like to schedule an appointment for your little one, contact Valley Pediatric Clinic.