The Mumps is caused by a virus, and it is a contagious disease that should be treated as soon as it is diagnosed. It typically starts with signs of tiredness, loss of appetite, muscle aches, headaches, and sometimes fever. Most people will notice swelling in their salivary glands, which will cause them to have puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw.
The disease, however, can be prevented with the mumps vaccine, commonly known as the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is a vaccine combination that helps to prevent three different diseases: rubella, mumps and measles.
It is recommended by the CDC that children should be given at least two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first one being administered when they are between 12 and 15 months, and the second one being administered when they are between 4 and 6 years old. Adults and teens should also ensure that they are up to date with the mumps vaccine.
Contrary to the myths and the lies being spread by those who are against vaccines, the mumps vaccine is very safe and effective. The mumps component contained in the MMR vaccine is at about 88%, and it is more potent when it is administered in two doses.
Before the mumps vaccines came into use in Canada in 1967, mumps used to be a universal disease affecting children in particular. Since the vaccine came into use, however, a decline of 99% of mumps infections has been noted, and this has come as a relief to many parents and children who would have battled with sad childhoods due to the disease.
Though there are still chances of disease outbreaks in some parts of North America, especially in communities and close contact settings such as schools and camps, the high vaccination coverage has helped in limiting the size, spread and duration of mumps outbreaks, should they ever occur.