Measles Measles is a highly infectious viral illness. The rash appears 3-5 days after the onset of symptoms and spreads rapidly all over the body. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children Mumps Mumps is an infectious viral disease spread by infected droplets of saliva. Symptoms often begin with chilly sensations, headache, loss of appetite, general unwellness and fever. The salivary glands on one or both sides of the face can then become very painful and swollen.
Rubella is generally a mild infectious viral illness spread by airborne droplets.
It can cause mild fever, general unwellness, swollen glands and mild red rash. It often goes unnoticed in adolescents and adults. However rubella can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects in infants born to mothers infected with rubella during the early months of pregnancy. Vaccination is the best way to protect against these severe diseases. The vaccine will not protect against diseases caused by other types of viruses or organisms.