Summer Fun
Central Ohio has been seeing illness that you can do a lot to prevent – such as mumps, measles, pertussis and other illnesses that are contagious.
Keep summertime safe from illness with some simple steps you can do for, teach and model for children.
Be up-to-date on immunizations.
- MMR (measles, mumps and rubella MMR vaccine) is up to 99% effective in preventing the measles and 88% effective in preventing the mumps.
- DTaP and Tdap (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine) are up to 85% effective in preventing pertussis
- In the state of Ohio - children get their doses of DTaP at 2, 4, 6 and 15 to 18 months of age and also at 4 to 6 years of age.
- All adults are recommended to receive a single dose of Tdap and pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy.
Wash your hands.
- Washing your hands is your number 1 defense against germs.
- Use soap and warm water, washing for at least 20 seconds
- Teach children good handwashing and model it for them.
Cover your cough and sneeze.
- Illnesses such as measles, mumps and pertussis are most often spread by coughing and sneezing.
- Use the sleeve of your clothes, elbow or shoulder to cover your cough or sneeze.
- Teach children the right way to cover a cough and sneeze.
Stay home if you are sick.
- Keep your children home from activities if they are sick.
- Stay away from others who are ill with diseases such as mumps or measles
- Be familiar with the signs of disease and contact your medical provider.
- Symptoms to watch for:
- Measles: fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, sore throat and a red rash.
- Mumps: runny nose, cough and swelling of salivary glands under the jaw.
- Pertussis: cough, whoop, fits of coughing and vomiting after coughing.
Don’t share things you put in your mouth, like cups and forks.
- Illnesses can be spread by saliva. Items used by an infected person, such as cups or soft drink cans may spread illness to others when shared
- Teach children not to share items and don’t share yours with them.
More Information
Mumps information and MMR Vaccine at Columbus Public Health