MMRV

Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella Vaccine (MMRV)

ABOUT THE DISEASE AND BACTERIA / VIRUS

Measles:
Measles virus is very infectious and can be spread via droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of the infected person. The virus can also stay in the air or on non-living objects for no more than 2 hours⁽¹⁾. People who suffer from measles will initially present with fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, sore throat and white spots inside mouth. Red blotchy skin rash is the significant sign of measles that appears 3-5 days after the general symptoms begin. The rash usually starts from the face and extends downward over the body. It usually lasts for less than a week, then it will fade out and leave with brownish marks. Desquamation may sometimes happen afterward. Infectious period befalls from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears. Beside, measles can cause severe complications that include ear infection, conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration, diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis or even death.

Mumps:
Mumps virus is transmitted via droplets. It affects the salivary glands and causes painful swelling. Young children, especially those under 1 year old, are at higher risk. Apart from swollen glands, signs and symptoms also include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. Severity of disease varies. No specific treatments are needed and infected persons usually get recovered within few weeks. However, the virus can also induce inflammation of other organs, including ears, pancreas, testicles, ovaries, breasts, spinal cord and brain, but is rarely fatal.

Rubella:
Rubella, also known as German measles, is caused by rubella virus and is spread by droplet or direct contact transmission. Signs and symptoms include diffuse rash, malaise, fever, conjunctivitis, swollen lymph nodes behind ears and at neck. It is highly infectious but is a mild disease in usual cases and the rash usually lasts less than 5 days. However, when adults have been infected, they will encounter more discomfort then children have, additionally including headache and arthritis. Pregnant women should pay extra caution because the virus can cause serious foetal defects, mental retardation, miscarriage and foetal death.

Varicella:
Varicella, commonly named as chickenpox, is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) and is highly contagious. Typical symptoms include rash, blisters, itchiness, tiredness, loss of appetite and fever. The rash and blisters usually appear on face and trunk first, then extend to limbs and other body parts. Transmission of VZV is through direct or indirect contact to the fluid of blisters or even by droplets from the infected source. The blisters will dry up in few days and then scabbing happens. However, varicella can induce serious health problems to people in high risk groups, including infants, pregnant women and people with impaired immunity or on treatments that are immunosuppressive. Those complications include skin infection, dehydration, pneumonia, encephalitis and sepsis. In few cases, chickenpox can cause death. In addition, infection of VZV in early stage of pregnancy may bring about congenital malformation of foetus.

ABOUT THE VACCINE
There is a quadrivalent vaccine – measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) – that can provide effective protection against those virus infections mentioned above. It is recommended that people aged above 1 year old should receive 2 doses of vaccination. Side effects of the vaccine are usually mild, including pain, redness and swelling of the injection site, itchiness, nausea, diarrhoea and fever. For severe discomfort, please seek for medical consultation as soon as possible.

REFERENCE

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/VACCINEs/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/meas.pdf
• Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Hong Kong – http://www.chp.gov.hk/
• World Health Organization – http://www.who.int