442 Section 13/ MiscellaneousMMR (MEASLES, MUMPS &
RUBELLA; TRESIVAC)
Measles
In developing countries, measles can be
a very severe disease, with mortality rates
as high as 10 percent. Hence, vaccination
is recommended for all children at the
earliest possible age. Currently, the WHO
recommended nine months as the age for
measles vaccination, taking into account
maternal antibody levels and vaccine intake,
as well as disease incidence.
The signs and symptoms of measles
include fever, common cold-like symptoms,
conjunctivitis, cough, spots inside the mouth
and a skin rash. Diarrhoea, stomach pain
and loss of appetite may also be present.
The severity of the symptoms of measles
is greater in adolescents and adults than in
children. The incubation period is 10 to 12
days and during this period there is virtually
no outward sign of illness. During this
period the virus first causes a local infection
of the upper respiratory tract then spreads
to other parts of the body. The virus is then
disseminated throughout by bloodstream
causing a primary disease.
Mumps
Mumps or infective parotitis is an acute
infectious disease usually marked by a
painful enlargement of one or both salivary
glands around the jaw. In addition,
dryness of the mouth may often occur.
Rubella
Rubella or German measles, is a highly
infectious disease, which mostly affects
children, adolescents and young adults.
Rubella soon after birth is a disease which
is usually trivial and of short duration. Its
most obvious sign is a mild rash. Rubella
virus infection during pregnancy can
disrupt fetal growth and cause birth defects.
Approximately 25 to 50% of rubella in-
fections may go undetected. When symp-
toms do present, they are usually quite mild.
Adults who contract rubella present
with fever and loss of appetite for two days
prior to the onset of the rash.MMR Vaccination
Live attenuated virus vaccines for
measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) have
been combined into a single vaccine known
as MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is
effective as the single-virus vaccine
composed of the respective strains and has
been shown to be highly effective. The
immunity induced by MMR is long lasting
and may be lifelong.
Adverse effects include hyperthermia,
rhinopharyngeal or respiratory symptoms of
short duration. Hyperthermia convulsions
are rarely observed. Lymphadenopathies or
parotitis may be observed.
It is indicated for joint prevention of
measles, mumps and rubella, normally, given
from the age of 12 months, in infants of both
sexes.CHICKENPOX (VARICELLA; OKAVAX)
Chickenpox or varicella is caused by the
varicella zoster virus (VZV). Varicella
vaccine is indicated for active immunisation
against varicella in healthy subjects and
their susceptible healthy close contacts
from the age of 12 months onwards.