Submitted by Dr. Jeff Hostetter, Jaci Phillips DNP and Darlynn Williams RN Public Health
You may be hearing a lot about measles lately. And all of this news on TV, social media, Internet, newspapers and magazines may leave you wondering what you as a parent really need to know about this disease. CDC has put together a list of the most important facts about measles for parents.
Measles can be serious. Some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clears up in a few days, but measles can cause serious health complications, even death, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. There is no way to tell in advance the severity of the symptoms your child will experience. About 1 in 4 people in the U.S. who get measles will be hospitalized. 1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling, which could lead to brain damage. 1 or 2 out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even with the best care.
Some of the more common measles symptoms include: Fever, Rash, Runny nose, Red eyes.
Measles is very contagious. Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected. Your child can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person has left. An infected person can spread measles to others even before knowing he or she has the disease—from four days before developing the measles rash through four days afterward.
Measles can be prevented with MMR vaccine. The vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination. The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.
You have the power to protect your child against measles with a safe and effective vaccine.
The best protection against measles is measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles. Your child needs two doses of MMR vaccine for best protection: The first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. If your family is traveling overseas, the vaccine recommendations are a little different so check with your provider well in advance of your trip.
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