Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccination (MMR)

We are asking all new and returning students to check whether they have been immunised against mumps.

You are protected by vaccination with the MMR vaccine or through having had the illness itself. Most people born after September 1st 1984 are likely to have been offered one immunisation with MMR. If you are unsure as to whether you have been immunised against mumps or whether you have had the illness, then the Health Protection Agency in Leicester advises that you should be immunised with MMR before coming to University.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is mumps?
Mumps is an infectious disease caused by the mumps virus. It is a mild disease in most people causing very little upset and may even go completely unnoticed. In others, however, it can have some severe complications. These include meningitis, encephalitis, deafness, inflammation of the pancreas, swelling of the testes (orchitis), or swelling of the ovaries (oophoritis). Infertility can occur as a result of these complications affecting the ovaries and testicles.

How does it spread?
Humans are the only known host of the mumps virus. Mumps is usually spread from person to person by coughs and sneezes. Occasionally, it may be spread by direct contact with the saliva of someone with mumps. People with the illness can pass it to others several days before the symptoms start until just after the swelling has settled.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms begin with a headache and fever for a day or two, followed by swelling of the parotid glands, in front of the ears on one or both sides. In some cases may, the salivary glands do not swell, but the patient develops symptoms elsewhere (orchitis, meningitis).

How can it be treated?
There is no drug that kills the mumps virus.  Treatment aims to ease symptoms until the body's immune system clears the virus.

• You do not need any treatment if symptoms are mild.

• Paracetamol can ease fever and pain.  Ibuprofen is an alternative.

• Keep the individual cool if they have a fever.

• Give the individual lots to drink, particularly if they have a fever.  Fruit juice may stimulate the parotid gland to make more saliva, and cause more pain.  Water is best if this occurs.

• A warm flannel held against a painful parotid gland is soothing. 

When to seek medical help?
Most individuals are back to normal within 7 - 10 days.  Seek medical help if you suspect that a complication is developing (described above).

Should people with mumps keep away from others?

Yes.  Mumps is very infectious.  It is passed by coughing and sneezing the virus into the air.  It takes 14 - 21 days to develop the symptoms after being infected.  Affected people are infectious from about six days before, until about five days after, a parotid gland begins to swell.  It is best not to mix with other once mumps is suspected.

How can it be prevented?
The only effective way to prevent mumps is by vaccination. Mumps vaccine is one of the components of MMR vaccine.

What is MMR?
MMR is the combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella. It is the only effective vaccine that can be used to protect against mumps as there are no effective single vaccines against mumps that are currently licensed for use in the United Kingdom.

How effective is MMR in preventing mumps?
80% of people will become immune to mumps after one dose of the vaccine. A second dose of the vaccine boosts that immunity and additionally produces immunity the majority of those who previously did not respond to the vaccine.

Who needs it?
MMR is needed to prevent mumps in those who have not had MMR or natural mumps infection. MMR was introduced in 1988.

Students born on or after September 1st 1984 are likely to have had the opportunity of having the MMR vaccine and therefore have protection against mumps.

Students born before September 1st 1984 are not likely to have immunity to mumps, unless they have had the natural infection.

We are recommending that anyone who is unsure about whether they have had mumps or MMR should have the vaccine. There is no harm in having the MMR vaccination again.

MMR vaccine can be given irrespective of a history of measles, mumps or rubella infection. There are no ill effects from vaccinating individuals who are already immune. There is no contra-indication to the vaccine for people with egg allergies. HIV positive individuals may be given MMR in the absence of contra-indications.

Are there any adverse reactions?
Following a dose of MMR, malaise, fever and/or a rash can occur, most commonly about a week after immunisation, and lasting about two or three days. Very occasionally, adults who get the mumps vaccine may develop swelling of the salivary glands in the cheeks and neck. You cannot get mumps from the vaccine.

Adverse reactions are considerably less common after the second dose. That is why persons who have had measles and rubella vaccination before, are less likely to develop side effects from the MMR vaccine.

Very rarely, a severe allergic reaction can occur straight after any immunisation (about 1 in 100,000 immunisations for MMR). People giving immunisations are trained to deal with allergic reactions. Over 500 million doses of MMR have been used worldwide. There is no evidence that MMR is linked to autism or bowel disease.

Where can I get more information about MMR?
http://www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk/
http://www.doh.gov.uk