Mumps makes a comeback

Mumps is known to be a viral disease of childhood that causes swelling of the lymph nodes. 1 in 20,000 cases have complications of deafness.

This year, there have been 6000 cases of mumps, the highest number there's been in the U.S. for a decade. The interesting thing is that most of these cases are among people who have already been vaccinated.

The MMR vaccine covers Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, and there are 2 doses administered in childhood to have protective effects. However, immunity wanes over time, and it seems that a sufficient dose of the virus can cause disease in immunized people.

College campuses and other affected communities are likely affected due to tight living quarters. These spaces have begun offering a third dose of the vaccine to combat further spread of the disease. The third dose seems to be effective in containing the disease.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/well/family/mumps-makes-a-comeback-even-among-the-vaccinated.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=sectionfront

~Scarlett