by D. P. Noe

Created on: January 04, 2009

Measles, mumps and rubella are serious diseases and have not been eradicated. The MMR vaccine has had a significant impact on preventing the disease with the individuals who have received the vaccine, There are dangers and complications if you contract one of these viruses because you have chosen not to have the vaccine. Most children who get the MMR vaccine will not get any of these diseases.

Measles is caused by a virus and causes a rash, cough, runny nose, irritation to the eyes and fever. The danger of this virus is that it can lead to ear infections, seizure, brain damage and even death.

Mumps virus cause a fever, headache and swollen glands. The danger with this virus it that it can lead to deafness, meningitis( an infection of brain and spinal cord), painful inflammation of the ovaries or testicles, and in rare cases has caused death.

Rubella( also known as German measles) virus cause a rash, mild fever, and in women more than men can cause arthritis. The danger with this virus is that if a women gets rubella while she is pregnant, it could cause a miscarriage or it can affect the baby and child could be born with serious birth defects,

There are individuals that should not get the MMR vaccine or have to wait until a different time. Anyone who has had a life threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, neomycin or a previous dose of MMR vaccine, should not receive the vaccine. If you are ill at the time you are scheduled to receive the vaccine, you will be told to wait until you are better. Pregnant women will be told to get the MMR vaccine after they have given birth. On the other hand, women should avoid getting pregnant for 4 weeks after getting the MMR vaccine.

Getting the MMR vaccine is much safer than contracting any of these illnesses. The risk of the MMR vaccine causing serious harm to anyone is extremely small. Mild problems like fever or rash occur infrequently. A seizure caused by a fever from the MMR vaccine is 1 out of 3,000 doses. Sever allergic reactions occur less than 1 out of a million doses. You should notify the doctor what is going on, the time and date, and when the vaccination was given.

You can avoid the dangers and complications of these diseases simply by getting vaccinated. You or a family member could catch one of these diseases by being around someone who has them, if you have not been vaccinated. These viruses are spread from person to person through the air. Be safe and get yourself protected, get vaccinated.

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