How serious are measles, mumps and rubella?
The risk associated with the effects of the three disease are much greater than any potential risks of the vaccine. Measles is caused by a virus and is highly infectious before a trademark red rash appears. Complications can include pneumonia and ear and eye infections and in a minute number of cases encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) may follow which can cause brain damage. In less than one in 100,000 cases it can cause brain infection which can lead to death. Mumps, also caused by a virus, does not usually cause severe problems in children but can lead to infertility in men. Rubella, or German Measles, causes swelling of the lymph nodes and a rash in some sufferers. It is most serious when it strikes pregnant women as it can affect the foetus during the first three months of development and cause serious birth defects. Q: What happens in the rest of the world? A: No country in the world recommends immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella in three single vaccines rather t
