As is always the case, prevention provides the best course of action against mumps. For anyone who has already had mumps, or for those who have been immunized since 1967 the disease will have no effect. These individuals are considered by medical professionals as immune to mumps. Immunizations against mumps are recommended, and are included in the standard course of inoculations for children. Because it is given in combined form along with measles and rubella, mumps is injected as MMR vaccine into young ones as early as between one year to one and a half years old initially, and then repeated when the child reaches 4-6 years old.
Anyone who received their childhood immunizations prior to 1990 may not have full protection from the mumps. This has been discovered in recent outbreaks of the disease. Before that time, one injection of MMR was considered to be effective; however, because of outbreaks, new recommendations were issued to administer the 2nd dose. Those who received only one dose of the MMR vaccine should check with their doctor to discuss the advisability of receiving the 2nd dose, especially in those who are going off to college or joining the military where more widespread exposure could potentially create outbreaks. These outbreaks could leave those individuals more open to coming down with the disease; leaving them open to the discomfort of mumps symptoms.
An important factor in preventing mumps is to isolate the affected person from others as much as possible. This is the best method of protecting others from becoming infected; those who either have not been immunized at all or who received only one dose of the vaccine.
Possible Side Effects of the Mumps Vaccine
Contrary to the beliefs of some, the mumps, symptoms or disease, cannot be derived from the mumps vaccine. In most cases, no side effects occur after receiving the vaccine. For some, however, mild fevers, rashes and achy joints may be experienced. While serious complications cannot be discounted, occurrences are extremely rare.
There has been concern and extensive research done on the possible connection of the MMR vaccine and autism. According to some of the highest authorities of disease control; the American Pediatric Society, the Institute of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have all arrived at the conclusion that there is no viable connection between the two, and no benefit from separating the vaccines. The fact that autism is often identified in babies aged 1 ½ to 2 ½, which is a comparable time period that the vaccine is administered is thought to be a mere coincidence. Many still dispute these findings, however, and the controversy over this issue continues.
Although many people today are unfamiliar with mumps symptoms or signs because the disease has become so uncommon, it is important to know them in the face of recurring sporadic outbreaks in recent years. Especially vulnerable at this time will be college bound students or those joining the military; young adults who were immunized before 1990 and could be susceptible to sudden occurrences of the disease breaking out in crowded conditions.
Truly the MMR vaccine has drastically reduced the number of mumps cases reported each year in the United States; a very positive step toward the general overall health of Americans. Being ever vigilant to controlling new outbreaks and devising new recommendations for babies to keep them safe are tools used to keep mumps a disease of the past.