A disease once thought to be eliminated in the United States has been making a resurgence, resulting in hospitalizations and even deaths.
Measles is a highly contagious virus, with outbreaks currently occurring across multiple states. While measles can have serious complications for unvaccinated people, the disease is preventable with a vaccine.
Sanford Health News caught up with Jeremy Cauwels, M.D., Sanford Health chief medical officer, to break down what you need to know about the infection and answer some frequently asked questions:
What is measles?
Measles is an airborne disease caused by a viral infection that can lead to serious complications and death. The virus can spread very easily when a patient breathes, coughs or sneezes. It is considered one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases.
Symptoms appear one to two weeks after exposure to the virus, with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A rash may also appear. Providers may also look for spots inside the lining of the mouth or cheeks.
Why is measles so dangerous?
Data has shown one to two kids out of 1,000 will die from measles.
“That doesn’t seem like a big number but if you think about all childhood illnesses that kids get – or that we now vaccinate for – measles was one of the most uniformly fatal,” Dr. Cauwels said. “Since 1974, the approximately 14 different illnesses we vaccinate against have saved 154 million lives worldwide. Over 60% of those lives are just due to measles vaccine.”
What are some of the complications we see from measles?
Complications from the illness can extend through the rest of a patient’s life including respiratory and neurological damage, Dr. Cauwels said.
Complications from measles can include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and even death. A potential long-term complication is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal disease that develops years after a person recovers from measles.
What is the best way to prevent measles?
The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination, Dr. Cauwels said.
“It’s abundantly clear in the science that we have,” he added. “While vitamin A can also be considered a treatment, it is not nearly as effective and certainly isn’t preventive for kids getting the measles.
“It’s critically important to understand that the absolute best tool we have in the drawer, from a scientific standpoint, to protect a child from measles is getting a vaccine.”
Who should be vaccinated and when?
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed.
Vaccines to prevent measles are recommended around 12 months of age and repeated between 4-6 years old. Dr. Cauwels said the first one should not be given to a child younger than 6 months old.
The vaccine offers about 93% protection after just one dose.
“The measles vaccine is one of the most durable vaccines that we give in all of medicine and in most cases, you are protected for life from those two doses given as a child,” Dr. Cauwels said.
The vaccine provides lifelong protection; no booster is needed.
Why should I vaccinate?
“Measles is an infectious disease and like any infectious disease, it can spread through populations of both people vaccinated and unvaccinated,” Dr. Cauwels said. “Very few vaccinated people will get measles, and if they do, they tend to have milder illness and are less likely to spread measles to others.”
Complications of severe illness including severe pneumonia and brain damage are significantly less in those who are protected through the vaccine.
“From an infectivity standpoint, measles is worlds better than COVID at spreading from person to person.”
Anyone who is not vaccinated can get measles at any age.
Why is there hesitancy around the vaccine?
Some of the hesitancy started with a medical journal article linking the measles vaccine to autism that was originally published back in 1998 and later debunked.
“Since that time, there have been numerous other studies that have shown no link between the vaccine and autism,” Dr. Cauwels explained.
“That’s the major area of concern you may hear about and it’s absolutely unfounded,” he said. “We have tens of millions of children followed and appropriately studied to say that isn’t the case.”
What should I do if I am exposed to measles?
The first step is calling your health care provider. They can help determine if you are immune to measles based on your vaccination status and history. If you are not immune, you may be advised to receive the MMR vaccine or a medicine called immune globulin to reduce your risk of developing measles.
If you develop measles symptoms, contact your health care provider right away. Arrangements can be made to evaluate you without putting other patients or staff at risk of exposure.
Patients with measles should stay home for four days after developing the rash, which helps avoid spreading the virus to others. If symptoms worsen, contact your health care provider right away.
Learn more
- Vaccination FAQs and when kids need each shot
- Vaccines for Children program offers free immunizations
- Baby shots: What do they need and when?
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Posted In Children's, Family Medicine, Healthy Living, Immunizations, Internal Medicine
