Mumps once was considered a normal childhood illness, but it is a serious disease that can lead to severe complications. Media attention in 2009 focused on a mumps outbreak in New York that affected kids who previously were vaccinated against the disease. This led some parents to question if they should bother having their child immunized.
What is Mumps
Mumps is a communicable disease caused by the mumps virus. Symptoms of mumps can include fatigue, fever, headache and loss of appetite, followed by swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands. Mumps is spread through mouth and nose secretions when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Most of the time, people infected with mumps fully recover. However, there are risks of complications from mumps, including meningitis, loss of hearing and infertility.
Chances of Getting Mumps When Immunized
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive two doses of the mumps vaccine. One dose is to be given at 12 to 15 months and the other at 4 to 6 years. The CDC states that people who get one dose of the mumps vaccine are 62 percent to 91 percent protected, while those who get two doses are 76 percent to 95 percent protected. When exposed to the mumps virus, immunized kids are nine times less likely to get sick than kids who have not been immunized.
Effects of Vaccination if Kids Do Get Sick
If a child has previously been vaccinated against mumps and still gets it, he is likely to be less sick than a child who has not been vaccinated. The CDC states that immunized people who do get mumps also are less likely to have any serious complications from the disease than unvaccinated people.
How to Best Protect Kids from Mumps
Immunization is the best protection against mumps. Other than immunization, frequent hand washing is the most effective way to protect children from mumps and other diseases since it helps eliminate bacteria and viruses that could be on hands. Do not share utensils, bottles and other items that come in contact with the mouth, since mumps is spread through saliva. Also, keep your children away from other kids who may be sick with mumps.
