Measles is Making a Comeback
If you thought that measles completely disappeared in the U.S, you would be partially correct. Thanks to the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, measles was officially removed from the United States in 2000. Sadly, the disease has made a comeback because less people are getting their shots and the immunity of those who got their shots a long time ago is weakening.
How Measles Spreads
Measles can spread easily from one person to another, and there is no specific treatment to cure someone once they are sick. Measles can be serious, especially for babies and young children.
- About 1 out of 5 people who get measles will be hospitalized.
- 1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling due to infection (encephalitis), which may lead to brain damage.
- 1 to 3 people out of every 1,000 with measles will die, even with the best care.
It’s spread by breathing in the germs after a sick person has sneezed or coughed in a space or by touching a surface that has germs on it and then touching your face. The germs that cause measles can stay in the air and on surfaces for up to 2 hours after a person sick with measles has left. That means that the sick person doesn’t have to be in the same room with you since their germs can remain in the area long after they have left.
Measles Symptoms
The measles rash may be the most unique symptom of this illness, but it’s not the only symptom. In fact, the rash typically appears 3 to 5 days after more general symptoms occur. These symptoms include:
- Fever
- Red or watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth
A sick person can easily spread measles four days before the rash shows up and up to four days after the rash disappears.
Prevent Getting Measles
Although measles can be dangerous, it is a vaccine-preventable disease, which means it that can be stopped by getting your shots. Anyone over the age of 1 should receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine. Those born in 1957 or earlier may have some immunity to measles and should check with their doctor to find out if a booster is needed.
For more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/vaccine-preventable-diseases/resources/measles
https://odh.ohio.gov/media-center/ODH-News-Releases/health-director-announces-measles-case-in-ohio
Measles Informational Webinar Resources:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LbaVlR8to7ce1B6WfY2H80N2a7J877tN?usp=sharing