Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
Visiting new places can carry it’s risks and viral infections pose a troublesome risk to your health. Here we talk about MMR and how it can be prevented.
What is MMR and how do you catch it?
Measles, mumps and rubella are viral infections which can be prevented by having the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Measles, mumps and rubella diseases remain widespread in all parts of the world but are most common in:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- South and Southeast Asia
- South America
- Outbreaks have also known to occur in Europe, North America and Australia/New Zealand where populations are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.
How can you contract MMR?
All three viruses are caught by breathing in infected droplets released when someone with one of the viruses coughs or sneezes, or picked up from surfaces and transferred into your nose and mouth from your hands.
Your risk of catching these viruses is higher if you will be visiting friends and relatives and/or mixing closely with the local population and/or attending large gatherings during your trip.
You may also spread the disease to people who are vulnerable to severe illness such as babies, young children, pregnant women or people with conditions that affect their immune system.
Vaccination
MMR is the vaccine used in the UK. It is a combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The two types of MMR vaccine available are called MMRVAXPRO and Priorix.
Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are needed in your life time to protect you against all three viruses.
How long does the MMR vaccinations last?
Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are needed in your life time to protect you against all three viruses.
If you were previously infected (usually when you were a child) with either measles, mumps or rubella illness you should have lifelong immunity against that particular disease.
- Check with your GP before travelling to ensure you have received two doses of MMR vaccination.
- If you were born before 1990, you are unlikely to be fully vaccinated against mumps.
- If you have not had 2 doses of MMR vaccine, you should consider being vaccinated before travel.
Travel & Immunisation Clinic
Signs and symptoms
Those who have picked up the cholera bacteria don’t always have symptoms, but these are some of the typical symptoms you should expect:
• Severe, watery diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
Cholera symptoms can occur after just after a few hours, but generally develop within a few days of picking up the infection. If untreated, dehydration from severe diarrhoea and vomiting can quickly take effect, causing the body to go into shock because of a big drop in blood pressure.
Prevention
If you are travelling to a country known to be affected by cholera, here are a few ways you can help protect yourself:
• Only drink boiled or sealed bottled water
• Avoid ice in your drinks and ice creams
• Wash (in safe water) or peel uncooked fruit and vegetables
• Avoid shellfish, seafood and salads
Practice good personal hygiene measures – always wash your hands in safe water before eating and visiting the bathroom
Vaccination
The risk to most travellers is very low and vaccination is usually only recommended in the following circumstances:
• Volunteers/aid workers/medical personnel in disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks are likely
• Those travelling to work in slums/refugee camps or areas affected by natural disasters
• Those travelling to countries experienacing cholera outbreaks and where care with food and water is difficult or not possible
The drinkable cholera vaccine is given in two or three (depending on age) separate doses, taken from one to up to six weeks apart and completed at least a week before travelling.