the truth about measles: what every parent needs to know

in this article:

• How does measles spread?
• How can I protect my child?
• What are signs and symptoms of measles?

Have you heard about the measles outbreak in Texas?

At the time of this blog, at least 90 people so far have tested positive for the disease – 94% of those infected so far were unvaccinated.

Health officials suspect 200 to 300 individuals could be infected.  

You might think measles is just a rash and a fever, but it can lead to other serious problems and is very contagious.

If someone is exposed to measles and isn't vaccinated, there is a 90% chance they will get infected. If not vaccinated, measles can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and even death. 

The good news? If you are vaccinated, it is very unlikely you will get the disease even if exposed.  

how does measles spread? 

Measles spreads quickly through coughing and sneezing and is much more contagious than a cold or the flu.

Measles can stay in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. This means someone can catch measles even without directly being around an infected person!  

Because measles spreads so easily, just one infected person can cause an outbreak if people are not vaccinated.  

how can I protect my child? 

One of the best ways to protect your child and the community from measles is by getting the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.  

The MMR vaccine is a routine childhood shot given around 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at stopping the disease, but even one dose is 93% effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

I thought measles was eliminated? What happened?   

Because the vaccine is so effective, if vaccination rates are high we can eliminate measles all together.  

In 2000, measles was declared eliminated in the US, meaning that there were 0 cases of measles in 12 months. But measles has been coming back as vaccine rates have decreased. 

 This is why making sure your child gets their measles vaccine is so important.  

Getting vaccinated not only protects your child, but it also helps protect others in the community, especially babies who are too young to be vaccinated.  

what are the signs and symptoms of measles? 

It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of measles, especially if you aren’t vaccinated.

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and can include: 

• High fever (sometimes over 104 degrees Fahrenheit)  
• Cough 
• Runny nose 
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) 
• Tiny white spots inside the mouth (called Koplik spots)  
• A red rash that starts on the forehead and spreads down the body 

If you notice these symptoms, especially if your child hasn’t been vaccinated, contact your pediatrician immediately.  

Treating measles when you first see symptoms can make a big difference. People who are vaccinated are highly unlikely to be infected with measles.  

it’s not too late to get vaccinated!  

Make an appointment with your pediatrician to ensure your child is protected against measles. We know there’s some hesitancy to get vaccines. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective.  

If you have questions, reach out to your child’s pediatrician. Share your concerns and talk through it together.  

Vaccination is a simple step that can save lives.