Measles, Mumps & Rubella

Measles and mumps are highly infectious, a cough or a sneeze can spread the virus over a wide area. It particularly spreads among the student population because of greater social mixing and living in close proximity.

The diseases
Measles, Mumps and Rubella are diseases with serious complications:
• Measles can cause a range of symptoms from ear infections and bronchitis to convulsions (fits) or brain damage and can even be fatal. Symptoms of Measles
• Mumps used to be the main cause of viral meningitis in children. It can also cause temporary deafness, miscarriage, inflammation of the pancreas and pain and swelling in the testicles. Symptoms of Mumps
• Rubella (German Measles) can cause swelling and fever and can be passed onto unborn children resulting in serious birth defects. Symptoms of Rubella

When to seek medical help?
If you believe you have contracted measles or mumps, the best advice is to see your doctor. It is best not to mix with others until recovered.

Emergencies and out of hours
If you need medical advice outside of surgery opening hours please ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit nhsdirect.nhs.uk

The Vaccine

Measles, Mumps, Rubella and the MMR
MMR is the common name for the Mumps, Measles and Rubella vaccination, you are strongly advised to have the MMR vaccination. This is especially important if you are going to be living in close contact with lots of other students in University-owned accommodation.
If, for any reason, it is not possible for you to have the vaccination before you arrive at University, you should inform your new local doctor when you register with them.
 
The vaccine
You need two doses of MMR to be protected against mumps. MMR was introduced in 1988, with a second dose being introduced in 1996. Some teenagers and young people have not had two doses of MMR. This has led to several outbreaks of mumps in young people in recent years.

If you have never had the MMR vaccine, you should have one dose now and another after one month. For those of you who are not sure if you have had your second dose – having more than two will not do any harm - so it is better to have it than not.

Getting Vaccinated
Contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit nhsdirect.nhs.uk to find out where you can get vaccinated
Contact your doctor or inform them when you register
Contact your local NHS walk-in centre

Where can I get more information?
The NHS Choices website:
MMR
Measles
Mumps
Rubella