Measles, rubella and mumps

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What is it about ?

Measles
Measles is a very contagious viral disease. The measles virus is spread by coughing, sneezing, direct contact with mucus or contaminated surfaces. Although measles usually progresses without other complications, it can have serious consequences in some people: otitis (acute otitis media), pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis and sometimes even death.

Rubella
Rubella is a mild viral disease in children. The rubella virus is spread by coughing or sneezing. The virus is dangerous for pregnant women, who can transmit the disease to the embryo or fetus. When a woman contracts the disease during the first 4 months of pregnancy, she is at risk of miscarriage or giving birth to a stillborn baby or to a child who is blind, deaf, or has heart disease or of mental retardation.

Mumps
Mumps is a viral disease. It is characterized by swelling of the parotids, the salivary glands located in front of the ears. The mumps virus can cause serious complications, such as deafness, meningitis, inflammation of the testes (sometimes leading to infertility), ovaries, thyroid or pancreas. The virus is spread through droplets of saliva projected into the air and through direct contact with the saliva of an infected person.

Where and how often?

In many western countries, measles, rubella, and mumps have been much less common since the introduction of vaccination. However, outbreaks of measles and mumps have recently been observed in Belgium and other European countries. The vast majority of measles cases were children or unvaccinated adults or children under 12 months of age (before the age of first vaccination).

How to recognize them?

Measles
The disease begins with a runny nose, cough, or inflammation in the eye. Often, small spots can be seen on the inside of the cheeks before the rash begins. After a few days, a bright red rash begins to appear behind the ears. Then the red spots spread all over the body. These spots can join together to form large plaques. The rash takes on a purple color which then fades.

Rubella
Symptoms are usually mild and resemble those of a cold. A mild red rash extends from the face to the trunk and limbs, and lasts 2 to 3 days.

Mumps
Mumps causes fever and swelling of one or more parotids. These salivary glands are located at the back of the jaw and at the front of the ear. It may hurt when chewing or swallowing.

How is the diagnosis made?

Measles
The doctor will suspect measles in an unvaccinated child who has a rash and swelling. fever. It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference with more frequent illnesses, such as a rash in response to a drug or an infection with other viruses (eg. mononucleosis).

Rubella
The symptoms and signs of rubella are similar to those of many other viral infections, or of a reaction to a drug. Therefore, the clinical picture is usually not sufficient to make the diagnosis.

Mumps
There is swelling of the parotid, the salivary gland located in front of the ear, at the height of one or both cheeks, as well as a fever.

If he suspects any of these conditions, the doctor may confirm the diagnosis by testing a saliva sample or a smear from the throat or nose (or a urine test for mumps. ), and / or by a blood test. They may also refer you to an infectious disease specialist.

What can you do ?

You can protect your child against measles, rubella, and mumps by having them vaccinated for free. The first vaccine is administered at the age of one, during a ONE consultation. A booster vaccine is then administered around the age of 10-13 years, by the doctor of the PMS center (psycho-medico-social center). These vaccines can also be administered by the general practitioner or the pediatrician. If you were not vaccinated as a child, you can also get vaccinated. The rubella vaccine is particularly recommended to women who want to get pregnant (the vaccine must be done before pregnancy).

What can your doctor do?

Measles, rubella, and mumps are viral infections. Antibiotics are therefore useless. Symptoms can be relieved by rest and possibly taking paracetamol for pain and fever. In most cases, the disease resolves spontaneously. Hospitalization may be necessary in the presence of complications. Measles being a notifiable disease, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner.

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