Measles Made Simple: A Guide for Keeping Kids Safe

With the current outbreaks of measles in Ohio and across the country, our patients' families have understandably had many questions. We hope this information helps address some of the most frequent concerns.

Recognizing Measles Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of measles may include:

• Fever
• Rash
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Spots on the inside of the cheeks
• Fatigue
• Red/bloodshot eyes
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches

Measles infections usually progress through several stages, meaning that not all of a person's symptoms start at the same time.

Contagious Period

Patients with measles are contagious from approximately four or five days before the rash appears to four days after the onset of the rash. Therefore, people are often contagious for several days before they realize they may have measles.

How Contagious Is Measles?

Measles is an extremely contagious virus:

• Around 90% of susceptible people who are exposed to measles will develop the disease
• The virus can survive in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area
• The majority of children who catch measles are not up to date on their measles vaccine or are too young to get the vaccine

Potential Complications

Roughly 20% of unvaccinated people who develop measles require hospitalization. This percentage is frequently higher for younger children.

Complications from measles can include:

• Pneumonia
• Long-term weakening of the immune system
• Brain swelling
• Death

Protection Against Measles

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the only way to protect against a measles infection. Vitamin A does not protect people from measles. There is no antiviral medication that treats measles.

The MMR vaccine is given in a 2-dose series. Typically, children get this vaccine at their 1- and 4-year-old checkups. Studies have shown that the MMR vaccine is a very safe and effective vaccine. The two-dose series is 97% effective at preventing measles!

Vaccination for High-Risk Situations

Babies as young as 6 months old can also get a dose of the measles vaccine if there will be an increased risk of exposure, such as:

• International travel
• Domestic travel to a location with a measles outbreak
• A local measles outbreak

The measles vaccine is just as safe for these babies as it is for older children. The protection from a measles vaccine given before 1 year of age does not last as long as it does when the vaccine is given to children 12 months and older. Therefore, these children still need the standard two-dose series that starts at their 1st birthday. This is the main reason babies under 1 year don't routinely get the MMR vaccine.

If there will be an increased chance of exposure to measles (as listed above), children who are 1-3 years old can receive their second dose of the MMR vaccine as early as 28 days after the first dose.

The Bottom Line

Measles is a very dangerous illness. The MMR vaccine is extremely safe, and it is very effective at protecting against measles.

Schedule an Immunization Appointment

Please call our office during business hours to schedule an immunization appointment if:

• Your child is not up to date on their MMR vaccine:
  • Over 12 months old and has had no MMR vaccines
  • Over 4 years old and has had only one MMR vaccine
• Your 1- to 3-year-old child has had their first dose of the MMR vaccine, and you would like to get their second dose now (instead of waiting until the 4-year-old checkup)
• Your child is between 6-11 months old, and you would like an early dose of the MMR vaccine

Please contact our office with any questions regarding your child's specific needs.

Additional Resources

Check out the following resources for ongoing updates:

• Columbus Public Health Department: @columbuspublichealth
• Ohio Department of Health: @ohiodepartmentofhealth
• HealthyChildren.org: @healthychildrenAAP
• American Academy of Pediatrics: @ameracadpeds

Follow Olentangy Pediatrics on Facebook and Instagram for any additional updates from our office.