Surviving Measles, Mumps, And Chicken Pox: My Story

Measles, mumps, and chickenpox are all highly contagious viral infections that can cause severe symptoms and even lead to life-threatening complications. While they share some similarities, such as causing rashes and fevers, each condition has distinct characteristics. Vaccines are available for all three infections, and they have played a crucial role in reducing the prevalence of these diseases. However, there is ongoing public debate about the safety of vaccines and their potential side effects, which has resulted in a decline in vaccination rates in several countries. In this topic, we will delve into the signs and symptoms of measles, mumps, and chickenpox, explore their treatments and prevention methods, and address the concerns surrounding vaccination to provide a comprehensive understanding of these infectious diseases.

Chickenpox: A vaccine was introduced in 1995, but there is no cure

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets, direct contact with fluid from open sores, or breathing in droplets in the air, such as when an infected person sneezes or coughs. The chickenpox rash starts with raised bumps that turn into itchy fluid-filled blisters, which eventually rupture and leak before scabbing over.

Chickenpox is usually a mild disease in children, and they generally do not experience complications. However, secondary bacterial infections related to lesions can occur, and other possible complications include pneumonia and neurological issues. Complications are more likely for children under one year old, anyone over 15, and people with weakened immune systems. Chickenpox infection during pregnancy can also be risky for the mother, the pregnancy, and the newborn.

Before the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine in 1995, there were around 4 million cases per year in the United States, with 10,500-13,500 hospital admissions and 100-150 deaths, half of which were children. The vaccine has been incredibly effective, reducing cases by 97% and saving billions in healthcare costs. The vaccine is given by injection just under the skin and is recommended for children around one year old, with a second dose between the ages of four and six. A single dose of the vaccine reduces the risk of chickenpox by 70-95%, while two doses further reduce the risk.

While the chickenpox vaccine has been a remarkable success, there is currently no cure for the disease. Treatment focuses on easing symptoms, such as using antihistamines and calamine lotion to reduce itching, and pain medication. In serious cases, antiviral drugs can be used to alter the course of the illness. Additionally, vaccinated individuals can still get chickenpox, though they typically experience milder cases with fewer skin lesions, lower fever, and quicker recovery.

Mumps: A vaccine was introduced in 1967, but there is no direct treatment

Mumps is a viral infection caused by a virus from the genus Rubulavirus. Its symptoms include low-grade fever, respiratory problems, and most notably, swelling of the salivary glands below the ear. In the mid-twentieth century, mumps infections among children were not viewed as a serious public health issue. However, adult men may develop debilitating testicular inflammation, which posed particular difficulties among close-quartered soldiers during wartime. This led the United States government to target mumps for scientific research during World War II.

In 1967, a live, attenuated mumps vaccine was licensed in the United States, developed by vaccine researcher Maurice Hilleman. This vaccine was then included in Merck's combined MMR vaccine, which targeted measles and rubella, along with mumps. The MMR vaccine was licensed in 1971, and by 1974, 40 percent of American children had received it. In 1977, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended mumps immunization (as part of MMR) for all children over 12 months of age. Since the introduction of the vaccine, cases of mumps in the United States have dropped by 99%.

While the vaccine has been highly effective in reducing the incidence of mumps, there is currently no direct treatment for the disease. Supportive care may be provided, including efforts to lower fever. Mumps can be a mild disease, but it often causes discomfort, and complications are not uncommon. These include meningitis, testicular inflammation in males who have reached puberty, inflammation of the ovaries or breasts in females who have reached puberty, and permanent deafness.

The MMR vaccine is recommended by doctors as the best way to protect against mumps, along with measles and rubella. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are typically recommended, with the initial dose given between 12 and 18 months of age, and the second dose given between two and six years of age. In certain cases, such as international travel or a mumps outbreak, additional doses of the MMR vaccine may be recommended.

Measles: A vaccine was introduced in 1963, but there is no mention of a cure

Measles, also called rubeola, was once a common childhood illness. It is caused by a virus that spreads easily through the air and settles on surfaces. Before the advent of vaccination, measles was endemic around the world, and it remains a worldwide epidemic disease. In the first decade after it became a nationally notifiable disease in 1912, an average of 6,000 measles-related deaths were reported each year in the United States. In the decade before the vaccine's introduction, nearly all children contracted measles by the time they were 15 years old, with an estimated 3 to 4 million infections each year.

In 1954, John F. Enders and Dr. Thomas C. Peebles collected blood samples from several ill students during a measles outbreak in Boston, Massachusetts. They aimed to isolate the measles virus in the students' blood and create a vaccine. They successfully isolated measles in 13-year-old David Edmonston's blood. Enders and his team tested their vaccine on small groups of children from 1958 to 1960, before beginning trials on thousands of children in New York City and Nigeria. In 1961, it was declared 100% effective, and the first measles vaccine was licensed for public use in 1963. The initial vaccine was based on the Edmonston strain of attenuated live measles virus, named after David Edmonston.

An improved and weaker version of the measles vaccine, created by Maurice Hilleman and colleagues, began to be distributed in 1968. This vaccine, called the Edmonston-Enders (formerly "Moraten") strain, has been the only measles vaccine used in the United States since. The widespread use of the measles vaccine drastically reduced disease rates. By 1981, the number of reported measles cases was 80% lower than the previous year. Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning there was an absence of the continuous spread of the disease for over 12 months.

While there is currently no mention of a cure for measles, the illness typically resolves on its own within about 10 days. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications. Antibiotics can help fight secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia, which can be a common complication. Over-the-counter pain medication can also help alleviate symptoms.

Mumps, measles, and chickenpox vaccines: Their development, effectiveness, and impact on disease rates

The mumps, measles, and chickenpox (varicella) vaccines have been crucial in reducing the incidence of these diseases worldwide. Here is a detailed overview of the development, effectiveness, and impact of these vaccines.

Mumps Vaccine

The first experimental mumps vaccine was licensed in 1948, developed from an inactivated virus. However, it only provided short-term effectiveness. In the 1960s, improved vaccines became commercially available. The development of the mumps vaccine was accelerated by Maurice Hilleman of Merck & Co. in 1963, when he isolated the mumps virus from his daughter, Jeryl Lynn, who had contracted the disease. The resulting Jeryl Lynn strain, a live attenuated virus, formed the basis for the first effective mumps vaccine, Mumpsvax. Mumpsvax was licensed in 1967 and became part of the combined MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine licensed in 1971.

Measles Vaccine

The measles vaccine was developed by attenuating the wild-type measles virus (MeV) through in vitro passage in human and chicken cells. The live attenuated measles vaccine was first licensed in 1963, though it frequently caused fever and rash. Further virus attenuation led to the development of the Moraten (Attenuvax) and Schwarz strains, which are widely used today and cause fever and rash in less than 10% of vaccinated individuals.

Chickenpox Vaccine

The live attenuated varicella vaccine, known as the Oka strain, was developed in the early 1970s by Michiaki Takahashi and colleagues in Japan. American vaccinologist Maurice Hilleman's team later developed a chickenpox vaccine based on the Oka strain in the United States in 1981. The vaccine first became commercially available in 1984 and was licensed for use in the US in 1995 under the brand name Varivax.

Effectiveness and Impact on Disease Rates

The MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles, mumps, and rubella. While immunity against mumps may wane over time, the MMR vaccine has led to a more than 90% decline in disease rates in areas with widespread vaccination. In the United States, cases of mumps have dropped by 99% since the introduction of the vaccine in 1967.

Regarding chickenpox, a case-control study showed that one dose of the varicella vaccine was 97% effective in the first year and 86% effective in the second year. The effectiveness remained stable at 81% to 86% from the second to the eighth year. Two doses of the vaccine further improve protection, with an estimated effectiveness of 92% assessed about five years after vaccination. The chickenpox vaccine is 70% to 90% effective in preventing chickenpox and more than 95% effective in preventing severe cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has observed that more than 90% of immunocompetent individuals vaccinated as children remain protected from chickenpox for up to 20 years in Japan and 10 years in the United States.

Mumps, measles, and chickenpox: Their symptoms, contagiousness, and potential complications

Mumps, measles, and chickenpox are all highly contagious diseases caused by viruses. They can all be prevented through vaccination.

Mumps

Mumps is usually a mild disease, but in rare cases, it can cause severe complications and even be deadly. The mumps vaccine is made from a weak but still infectious mumps virus. A typical immune system can handle this weak virus easily. However, people who are not vaccinated are at high risk of infection. The first symptoms may be similar to flu symptoms, such as muscle aches or pain and a lack of appetite. The most well-known symptom of mumps is puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw. This is caused by swelling of the salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides, known as parotitis. Mumps can also cause swelling of the glands in the cheeks, neck, and, less often, below the floor of the mouth. In rare cases, mumps can cause severe complications such as brain inflammation and pancreatitis. Mumps during pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks, may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications and even be deadly, especially for babies, young children, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of measles typically begin 7 to 14 days after infection and usually include a high fever, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis). About 2 to 3 days after the first symptoms, tiny white spots called Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth. A rash typically appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms or about 14 days after infection. The rash is made up of large, flat spots and small raised bumps and usually starts on the face or neck before spreading down the body. Measles can be prevented through vaccination.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It usually lasts about 4 to 7 days and is characterized by a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually become scabs. Chickenpox can be serious, and even life-threatening, during pregnancy and in babies, adolescents, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Although rare, serious complications from chickenpox can occur, and some people may require hospitalization. The chickenpox vaccine can help protect against severe symptoms.

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