Chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella are four common childhood infectious diseases caused by viruses; they are highly contagious, and young children who contract them may develop serious complications. For example, children with rubella who transmit the virus to unvaccinated pregnant women may cause congenital organ defects or deformities in their fetuses.
These four common childhood infectious diseases are mainly contracted through contact with the patient's droplets or respiratory secretions. Taking chickenpox as an example, patients may develop symptoms such as fever, itchy red rashes all over the body, and blisters 10 to 21 days after being infected with the virus. Measles patients, after being infected, will develop high fever, cough, and conjunctivitis. If not treated promptly, patients may suffer from brain damage, blindness, or deafness, or even death.
Mumps, which is caused by the mumps virus, primarily affects the salivary glands, with symptoms mainly including swollen and painful salivary glands (usually concentrated in the cheeks). Some severe cases can lead to sequelae such as hearing loss, meningitis, and inflammation of the testicles in men.
German measles, also known as rubella, causes symptoms such as fever, fatigue, significantly swollen lymph nodes behind the ears, and a widespread irregular rash after a viral infection. The most concerning aspect of this disease is the severe consequences for unborn babies if pregnant women without immunity become infected, increasing the risk of congenital defects or even foetal deformities.
With the development and application of relevant vaccines, in addition to the two separate doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and two doses of chickenpox vaccine, children can opt to receive two doses of the four-in-one vaccine at 12 and 15 months old to prevent four infectious diseases at once: chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella.
Parents can consult their doctor for more information on disease prevention and vaccinations.
