Measles is a respiratory infection localized in the trachea and bronchi initially, transmitted through droplet contact. After 2-4 days, the virus travels to the lymph nodes and creates a systemic reaction. The main symptom of the measles virus is a rash (Koplik spots). The measles virus, also known as rubeola, also causes cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. It can also lead to an ear infection, bronchopneumonia/pneumonia, seizures that can lead to brain damage, and possibly death.
Mumps is a systemic virus that mainly causes swelling of one or more of the salivary glands. It is caused specifically by the Rubulavirus. The mumps virus also causes a fever, headache, loss of appetite, and muscle pain. It can lead to deafness, meningitis, swelling that is painful in the testicles or ovaries, and possibly infertility.The virus is transmitted via respiratory droplets, saliva, or direct contact. It has an incubation period of 16-18 days, so symptoms might not appear immediately.
Rubella virus, also known as the German measles, infects the skin, lymph nodes, and less commonly, the joints. It is spread by direct or droplet contact with infected secretions. It can also cause a rash, arthritis mostly in women, and a mild fever. If a pregnant women contracts the rubella virus, she could possibly have a miscarriage, the baby can be born with serious birth defects, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). CRS presents itself with deafness, eye abnormalities, and congenital heart disease. There is a 51% chance that a fetus will contract CRS if the mother becomes ill within 0-12 weeks after conception.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella Pathophysiology
Measles is a respiratory infection localized in the trachea and bronchi initially, transmitted through droplet contact. After 2-4 days, the virus travels to the lymph nodes and creates a systemic reaction. The main symptom of the measles virus is a rash (Koplik spots). The measles virus, also known as rubeola, also causes cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. It can also lead to an ear infection, bronchopneumonia/pneumonia, seizures that can lead to brain damage, and possibly death.
Mumps is a systemic virus that mainly causes swelling of one or more of the salivary glands. It is caused specifically by the Rubulavirus. The mumps virus also causes a fever, headache, loss of appetite, and muscle pain. It can lead to deafness, meningitis, swelling that is painful in the testicles or ovaries, and possibly infertility.The virus is transmitted via respiratory droplets, saliva, or direct contact. It has an incubation period of 16-18 days, so symptoms might not appear immediately.
Rubella virus, also known as the German measles, infects the skin, lymph nodes, and less commonly, the joints. It is spread by direct or droplet contact with infected secretions. It can also cause a rash, arthritis mostly in women, and a mild fever. If a pregnant women contracts the rubella virus, she could possibly have a miscarriage, the baby can be born with serious birth defects, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). CRS presents itself with deafness, eye abnormalities, and congenital heart disease. There is a 51% chance that a fetus will contract CRS if the mother becomes ill within 0-12 weeks after conception.
CDC. 2012. MMR vaccine. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mmr.pdf