Top 4 Things You Need to Know about Measles

During this busy summer travel season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Advisory to remind everyone about measles prevention and to be on alert for cases of measles. Guidance is also provided for people planning international travel. As of June 8, 2023, CDC has been notified of 16 confirmed U.S. cases of measles across 11 jurisdictions, with 14 (88%) linked to international travel. 

1. 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, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. There is no way to tell in advance the severity of the symptoms someone will experience.

  • About 1 in 5 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 to 3 out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even with the best care

Some of the more common measles symptoms include:

    • High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees F)

    • Cough

    • Runny nose

    • Red, watery eyes

    • Rash (3-5 days after symptoms begin)

2. 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/she has the disease—from four days before developing the measles rash through four days afterward.

3. You can still get measles in United States
Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 thanks to a highly effective vaccination program. Eliminated means that the disease is no longer constantly present in this country. However, measles is still common in many parts of the world. Even if your family does not travel internationally, you could come into contact with measles anywhere in your community. Every year, measles is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers (Americans or foreign visitors) who get measles while they are in other countries. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.

4 . You have the power to protect yourself and 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. Adults should ask their health care provider if they are up to date on their vaccines. Children need two doses of MMR vaccine for best protection:

    • The first dose at 12 through 15 months of age

    • The second dose 4 through 6 years of age

If your family is traveling overseas, the vaccine recommendations are a little different:

    • If your baby is 6 through 11 months old, he or she should receive 1 dose of MMR vaccine before leaving

    • If your child is 12 months of age or older, he or she will need 2 doses of MMR vaccine (separated by at least 28 days) before departure

Beth Ewing, RN, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC

LSIM Faith Community Nurse Source: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html

Beth Ewing