Most Common Illnesses And Infections In Children

Vaccine Preventable: Measles And Mumps

Measles and mumps, which are vaccine preventable, are two illnesses that can produce serious complications. Symptoms of measles include a pinpoint rash that typically begins on the face and spreads across the body. Patients may also have a fever, conjunctivitis, cough, and runny nose. In severe cases, measles can lead to pneumonia, and older children who contract measles may develop swelling of the brain that can lead to seizures. One of the major symptoms of mumps is swelling of the glands located below the ears. Mumps can cause meningitis and significant hearing loss, and it may also cause infertility in men. Measles and mumps can be prevented with two doses of a vaccine, and most states require children to receive these doses before they can start elementary school.