Swinging In with Information about MMRV!

🐵 MMRV covers four illnesses: measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, which is also called chickenpox. They're grouped together because the vaccines for them are often given around the same time.

 🐵 Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Measles can cause high fever, rash, and cough, and sometimes pneumonia or swelling of the brain

• Mumps causes fever, tiredness, and painful swelling of the glands in the cheeks and jaw

• Rubella is usually mild in children, but can cause serious birth defects if a pregnant woman is infected

• Varicella causes an itchy rash and fever, and can lead to skin infections or pneumonia

🐵 They're less common than they used to be, but outbreaks still happen, including in New York in recent years. Chickenpox and mumps continue to spread in places where children are in close contact, like schools and daycares.

🐵 They spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes, and through contact with saliva, mucus, or the fluid from chickenpox blisters. Measles is especially contagious — it can stay in the air of a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left.

🐵 They vary by virus, but often include rash, fever, tiredness, swollen glands, cough, and body aches. In more serious cases, complications can include pneumonia, swelling of the brain, or hearing loss.

🐵 MMRV is one combined shot. MMR and varicella are also available as two separate shots. Your pediatrician can explain which approach they use and why.

🐵 Every family is different. Your pediatrician can tell you what makes sense for your child, and what to watch for.