Doctors: Mumps are back because people won’t get vaccinated

Most doctors can recognize measles or mumps quite easily, but haven’t had to here in the U.S. near as much in recent times. Some reports claim measles had been eliminated in America by the year 2000, but there was a large outbreak in NYC last year.

Now there’s a mumps outbreak on the campus of Ohio State University. Doctors are saying it’s because of the people who don’t get the vaccination.

Dr. Aaron Henley of Milestones Pediatrics says the reason mumps and measles became less common is because the MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps and Rubella). But sometimes the vaccine doesn’t last forever.

“Sometimes the immunity you get from the vaccine wanes in adulthood.” Dr. Henley said.

In other words, some people see the effects of the MMR Vaccine go away as adults.

Dr. Henley says another problem is that because mumps and measles are so uncommon these days, people don’t take them as seriously. But, the doctor says they can be very serious.

“If the number of cases of mumps or measles is low, you may not see the severe effects it can have.” Dr. Henley said.

Dr. Henley says mumps is known to cause Orchitis (swelling of the testicles. And measles can lead to meningitis.