Suspected measles at some Universities - info and vaccination
Suspected measles at some universities - info and vaccination
01/04/2019
Health and wellbeing update – cases of measles at some universities, including MDX
Unfortunately, there has recently been a few cases of a small number of students across universities in the UK developing measles, including a student who attends Middlesex University. As this is a highly infectious disease that spreads quickly, it is important to try and prevent further cases. Here is some information about measles and mumps, so that you can understand the diseases and any potential risks that come with them.
There is no upper age limit to receive the MMR vaccine
What is Measles?
Measles is an acute infection caused by the measles virus.
Who catches measles?
Measles has become uncommon in the UK because many children have been immunised.
It is usually a childhood infection, most common in children of 1-4 years of age who have not been immunised. However, you can catch measles at any age.
Epidemics often coincide with school terms when there is much more close contact between children.
How do you catch measles?
Measles is caught through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when he or she coughs or sneezes.
Mumps is an acute viral illness in which the salivary parotid glands in the cheek and jaw, swell and become painful. Mumps usually occurs in people who have never been or only partially been immunised.
How do you catch mumps?
Mumps is spread through coughing or sneezing, or by direct contact with saliva of an infected person. It can take 12 to 25 days to develop symptoms after being infected
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms are:
fever, headache, tiredness, aching muscles and joints and a reduced appetite lasting several days
then swelling and pain of one or both salivary parotid glands lasting 4-8 days. (The parotid glands are found at the side of the face just below the ears and usually cannot be seen or felt.)
dry mouth and difficulty or pain on chewing and swallowing.
Suspected measles at some universities - info and vaccination
Unfortunately, there has recently been a few cases of a small number of students across universities in the UK developing measles, including a student who attends Middlesex University. As this is a highly infectious disease that spreads quickly, it is important to try and prevent further cases. Here is some information about measles and mumps, so that you can understand the diseases and any potential risks that come with them.
We are encouraging you to read up about the MMR vaccine and how you can take it to protect yourself against measles, mumps, and rubella as this is the safest way to prevent further spreading.
How can you get the vaccination?
What is Measles?
Measles is an acute infection caused by the measles virus.
Who catches measles?
Measles has become uncommon in the UK because many children have been immunised.
It is usually a childhood infection, most common in children of 1-4 years of age who have not been immunised. However, you can catch measles at any age.
Epidemics often coincide with school terms when there is much more close contact between children.
How do you catch measles?
Measles is caught through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when he or she coughs or sneezes.
For more information, please visit the NHS website.
What is Mumps?
Mumps is an acute viral illness in which the salivary parotid glands in the cheek and jaw, swell and become painful. Mumps usually occurs in people who have never been or only partially been immunised.
How do you catch mumps?
Mumps is spread through coughing or sneezing, or by direct contact with saliva of an infected person. It can take 12 to 25 days to develop symptoms after being infected
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms are:
For more information please visit the NHS website
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is a disease in which there is inflammation of the meninges.
How do you get meningitis?
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, spread through sneezing, coughing, kissing, or sharing utensils.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms are:
For more information, please visit the meningitis now website or the NHS website