What You Need to Know About Measles and How to Avoid It

What Is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by one of the world’s most contagious viruses. The virus is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs. It most commonly affects children.

“On average, one infected person may infect about 15 other people,” said Scott Weaver, a center of excellence director for the Global Virus Network. “There’s only a few viruses that even come close to that.” Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can Measles Be Fatal?

It usually doesn’t kill people, but it can. Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. But about 1 in 5 unvaccinated Americans who get measles are hospitalized, the CDC said. Pregnant women who haven’t gotten the vaccine may give birth prematurely or have a low-birthweight baby.

Among children with measles, about 1 in every 20 develops pneumonia, the CDC said, and about one in every 1,000 suffers from swelling of the brain called encephalitis – which can lead to convulsions, deafness, or intellectual disability. It’s deadly “in a little less than 1% of cases, mainly in children.” Children develop the most severe illness. The cause of death in these kinds of cases is usually pneumonia and complications from pneumonia.

How Can You Prevent Measles?

The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

“Before a vaccine was developed in the 1960s, everybody got” measles, Weaver said. “But then when the vaccine came along, that was a complete game-changer and one of the most successful vaccines in the history of medicine.” There is “great data” on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, he said, because it’s been around for decades.

“There is no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and keep patients comfortable,” said Dr. Julie Gerberding, the executive director of the CDC. “People who have had measles once can’t get it again, health officials say.”

Do You Need a Booster if You Got the MMR Vaccine a While Ago?

Health care professionals are sometimes tested for antibodies to measles and given boosters if necessary, Weaver said – even if they’ve already had the standard two doses as a child. People at high risk for infection who got the shots many years ago may also want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak. Those may include family members living with someone who has measles or those especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases because of underlying medical conditions.

“But I don’t think everyone needs to go and run out to their doctor right now if they did receive two doses as a child,” he said. “If people would just get the standard vaccination, none of this would be happening.”

Conclusion

Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease that can have severe consequences, including hospitalization, pneumonia, and even death. The best way to avoid measles is to get vaccinated against it. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and it has been shown to be one of the most successful vaccines in the history of medicine.

FAQs

* What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles causes a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash.
* Can measles be fatal?
Yes, it can. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated Americans who get measles are hospitalized, and about 1 in 1,000 suffer from swelling of the brain called encephalitis.
* How can I prevent measles?
Get the MMR vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
* Do I need a booster if I got the MMR vaccine a while ago?
Health care professionals are sometimes tested for antibodies to measles and given boosters if necessary. People at high risk for infection who got the shots many years ago may also want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak.