The Measles Outbreak

In the year 2018, the CDC reported 372 known cases of measles in the United States. As of July, 2019 there have been almost 1,200 reported cases in 28 states. Experts worry that at the rate the measles outbreak is continuing in the US, there is a real danger of losing the status of having measles eliminated in the fall of this year. From the data that the CDC has gathered, almost all individuals infected by the illness never received proper immunization for measles. As immunization rates fall, measles continues to thrive.

What is measles?

Measles is an extremely contagious respiratory infection. The infection is caused by a virus: a microscopic organism that can reproduce inside the cells of a host. Although antibiotics can effectively target a bacterial infection, they are ineffective against viral infections. Thus, there is no specific treatment for measles once a person has contracted the infection. Measles can lead to severe complications and even death. The infection typically occurs in stages, and it often remains active for two or three weeks.

• Stage 1
• STAGE 2
• STAGE 3
• STAGE 4

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During the first 10 to 14 days of infection, the measles virus reproduces in the infected person’s cells. Many people report little to no sign of illness during this period.

After the initial growth period, the first signs of a measles infection begin to show. These symptoms often include a mild to moderate fever, persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore throat. This stage can last roughly two or three days.

An infected person will begin to show signs of a rash during this stage. The rash typically breaks out on the face first, spreading downward over time. The rash consists of small red spots that can be slightly raised and tightly clustered. As the rash spreads further, a very high fever follows. It is not uncommon for body temperatures to reach as high as 40 to 41℃ (104 to 105.8℉).

The measles rash gradually subsides a few days after it appears, along with any other symptoms. The rash often fades from the face first and continues downward until the rash and other symptoms have gone away.

According to the CDC:

• 1 in 4 people who get measles need to be hospitalized
• 1 in 20 get pneumonia
• 1 in 1,000 develop brain swelling that may lead to brain damage
• 1 or 2 in 1,000 die from the illness

*It is important to note that an infected person is highly contagious for about eight days. The contagious period begins roughly four days prior to the appearance of a rash, and continues for approximately four days after. Those with weakened immune systems can spread the infection during the entire two to three week period in which they are infected.

How does measles spread?

The measles virus replicates in the respiratory system of an infected person. This primarily includes the nose and throat. When the infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, aerosolized droplets spread into the air. When other people inhale the droplets, they come into direct contact with the virus and are at a very high risk of contracting the measles infection.

Non-aerosolized droplets can also reside on any surface that an infected person has been near. Anyone who comes into contact with these droplets is at risk, and touching the eyes, nose, mouth, or ears can lead to infection.

All infected droplets can contain the active virus for about two hours, making the virus highly contagious.

Is Measles Common?

Measles was once very common and very deadly. Prior to immunizations, roughly three to four million people contracted the infection per year in the United States alone¹. Due to immunizations, measles has been nearly eradicated in some countries, including the United States. However, measles is still a common threat in many areas of the world. Since the virus has not been globally eliminated, there is still a risk of outbreaks in the United States. A drop in immunizations has caused measles to become more common in recent years.

What can I do to protect my child?

The best way to protect your child is by ensuring that they have received their measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV). The vaccine is typically given to children between 12 and 15 months of age and repeated between ages four and six. In some situations where a child will be traveling to an area with active measles, they can receive the vaccine as early as 6 months. Talk to your child’s doctor to determine the best time for them to receive their vaccinations.

What does a measles vaccine do?

A measles vaccine provides immunity by introducing a weakened version of the measles virus to the body. The weakened virus is not strong enough to make a person feel sick, however, the body recognizes it as an invader and produces antibodies to the virus. Antibodies allow your body to fight off infections and prevent illness. When an immunized person encounters the measles virus again, pre-existing antibodies quickly fight off the virus. In most cases, receiving an immunization can stop infection from happening at all. If infection does occur, the developed antibodies weaken the virus faster and make symptoms less severe.

Without vaccination, a person who comes into contact with the virus is completely vulnerable to infection. They have no pre-existing antibodies to the virus, therefore, it takes much longer to fight off the infection. About 90% of people who have not received a vaccine will be infected if exposed to the virus².

Since no medication is currently available to cure a viral infection, vaccination is the best line of defense against measles.

Is the measles vaccine safe?

Both the MMR and MMRV vaccines are very safe and effective. As with any medication, there is a risk for side effects. Common side effects include soreness at the injection site, fever, mild rash, and temporary pain and stiffness. Any severe complications of the vaccine are extremely rare. Organizations such as the CDC and FDA continuously monitor all vaccines for any safety concerns. The vaccines both protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. MMRV additionally protects against varicella (chickenpox). Risks associated with receiving the vaccines are much lower than those associated with contracting the diseases that they prevent.

Why does Village Pointe and Dundee Pediatrics require vaccination?

For the protection of your child and others, Village Pointe and Dundee Pediatrics believes that it is essential to provide all of our patients with proper vaccination. We prioritize the health of your child, and vaccinations are a vital step to keeping your child healthy. Vaccines are very safe, and they are an effective way of preventing many harmful diseases.

In addition to protecting your child, vaccinations also protect others in your community. When most members of a community are immune to a disease, it becomes very difficult for the disease to spread. This is a concept known as herd immunity. Herd immunity has worn down many illnesses and caused most to be very rare. However, if a gap in immunization occurs, the diseases can come back and spread very quickly. This trend can be seen in the recent, increasing outbreaks of measles.

Those who cannot be immunized contribute to the immunization gap. Individuals may not be able to receive vaccines for a variety of reasons, including an already weakened immune system or simply being too young. To keep the gap as small as possible, it is vital that anyone who can be immunized gets their vaccines.

CDC - MEASLES VISUAL SUMMARY

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* All content found in this article was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article. Links to educational content not created by Village Pointe and Dundee Pediatrics are taken at your own risk. Village Pointe and Dundee Pediatrics is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.

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