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Vaccine Types

Mumps

What is it?

Mumps is a virus that usually spreads through saliva and can infect many parts of the body, especially the parotid salivary glands. Mumps typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, and is followed by swelling of salivary glands. 

Why is it important?

There is no specific treatment for mumps. Most people with mumps recover fully. However, mumps can occasionally cause complications including:

• Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in males who have reached puberty, which rarely leads to sterility

• Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)

• Inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or breasts (mastitis) in females who have reached puberty

• Temporary or permanent deafness

Progress

The mumps vaccine we use today was licensed in 1967, and is a live, attenuated (weakened) vaccine. Since its use, the number of reported cases has dropped from over 150,000 in 1968 to only 666 in 1998.

Vaccine Recommendations

Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.  Children receive the first dose at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years. Note: These are the recommended ages, but children can get the second dose at any age, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

Side Effects

Most people who get MMR vaccine do not have any side effects.

Mild problems may include:

• Fever (up to 1 person out of 6)

• Mild rash (about 1 person out of 20)

• Swelling of glands in the cheeks or neck (rare)

If these problems occur, it is usually within 7-12 days after the shot. They occur less often after the second dose.

Risk of MMR vaccine causing serious harm is extremely small, but like with any medication, serious allergic reaction is possible. The risk of serious allergic reaction from MMR vaccine is 1 in 1,000,000. Possible moderate reactions include seizure caused by fever (1 in 3,000), temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, and temporary low platelet count (1 in 30,000).

Influenza Influenza Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral upper respiratory illness. Flu may be complicated by other risk factors, including pneumonia. [+] more	Hepatitis B Hepatitis B Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects the liver and is primarily spread through blood and bodily fluids. Acute HBV infection can lead to chronic HBV and liver damage. [+] more
Polio Polio Poliomyselitis (polio) is an extremely contagious viral infection that affects the nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord and can lead to paralysis. [+] more	Diphtheria Diphtheria Diphtheria is a bacterial respiratory illness that causes a thick covering in the back of the throat, leading to breathing problems, paralysis, or heart failure. [+] more
Rotavirus Rotavirus Rotavirus is a viral infection of the digestive track, and is the most common cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants and young children. [+] more	Pneumococcal Pneumococcal Pneumococcal bacteria live in noses and throats of people of all ages. Pneumococcus can infect the middle ear, sinuses, lungs, central nervous system and bloodstream. [+] more
Measles Measles Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory infection that causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. [+] more	Mumps Mumps Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection that can affect many parts of the body. The hallmark sign of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands. [+] more
Rubella Rubella Rubella (German measles) is a contagious viral disease that can cause fever, rash, swollen glands and arthritis. Infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. [+] more	Tetanus Tetanus Tetanus (Lockjaw) is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes painful tightening of the muscles all over the body. It is spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. [+] more
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease. Pertussis causes violent coughing spells that make it hard to eat, drink or breathe, and is especially severe in young infants. [+] more	Chickenpox Chickenpox Varicella (Chickenpox) is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by a blistering rash that can cover the entire body. Complications include skin infections, pneumonia and brain swelling. [+] more
Hepatitis A Hepatitis A Hepatitis A (HAV) virus attacks the liver, and is spread through stool of an infected person by direct contact or by contaminated food or drink. [+] more	Meningococcal Meningococcal Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (bacterial meningitis) and blood poisoning (septicemia), and requires immediate medical attention. [+] more
Hib Hib Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) bacterium can infect a child’s skin, joints, bones and ears. Hib can lead to a variety of infections including pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. [+] more	HPV HPV Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. About 40 types of HPV can infect the genital areas of males and females. A few types can lead to cervical and other cancers. [+] more