Measles Resurgence: Protecting Your Family in the Modern Era
February 20, 2025 | Preventative Care, Patient Education, Pediatric Care
What is measles?
Measles is an infection
that’s more common in children than adults. It is preventable due to the development of immunizations like the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. If not treated, it can be deadly, especially for children. Also known as rubeola, measles is a viral disease that is highly contagious as it can spread through the air when a person with measles coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Why are we seeing a comeback in measles cases?
Measles, at one point, was a very rare infection in the United States. However, with the decrease in people getting vaccinations, especially children, we are seeing cases of measles on the rise again.
Also, in countries where vaccinations aren’t as accessible or common, people have a higher risk of getting measles. Therefore, anyone traveling internationally to those countries may have an increased chance of contracting the virus, especially if they’re not vaccinated.
Symptoms and potential complications
In most cases, symptoms won’t appear for upward of 10-14 days from exposure. The most notable symptoms of measles are the red blotches on the skin that start on the face and then spread down the body. A person with measles is contagious 4 days before they get the rash and 4 days after it first appeared on the skin. Other symptoms of measles include:
Fever
Sore throat
Dry cough
Runny nose
Red, irritated eyes
White spots with blue centers on the inside of the mouth, also known as Koplick’s spots
When the symptoms start showing, a person will usually experience sensations like fever, sore throat, and a persistent cough. After a few days of that, the rash will start to form. During this time, the individual may experience an intense fever that can get as high as 105.8 F.
Measles can lead to other infections like pneumonia or an ear infection. Since the illness irritates airways in the body, measles can cause bronchitis or laryngitis. While rare, measles can cause the brain to swell (encephalitis), which may lead to permanent brain damage. Measles during pregnancy can cause birth complications or fetal death.
There is no treatment for measles; individuals can anticipate managing the symptoms until it has run its course. However, an individual can rely on their provider for medical tips to alleviate the symptoms. After about a week, the rash and other symptoms will fade. The rash may leave behind peeling skin lasting upwards of 10 days.
Why the vaccine matters
Measles is a dangerous, potentially fatal infection. To be protected from it, the best option is to get the MMR vaccine, which prevents 93% of measles cases, according to the CDC.
The vaccine is important because it protects you from contracting the infection and consequently prevents you from spreading it to others. Since it is an airborne illness, the best line of defense you can have is the vaccine. While there are common misconceptions about the vaccine, it has been proven safe, with very few cases of poor reactions to the injection.
Common concerns and myths of the MMR vaccine
It’s understandable that some parents would be hesitant to give their children the MMR vaccine, with speculations circulating about its safety and efficacy.
The most common concern we hear about the MMR vaccine is that it causes autism. However, this is a myth. The argument that the shot caused children to develop autism was published in a scientific journal in the 1990s. However, the researchers only studied 12 children for this article, and still, there was no proof the vaccine caused autism. It was later uncovered that the lead author who published this did it for the money from the lawsuits and was banned from medicine. Fast forward, there have now been multiple studies done by established sources like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics looking at hundreds of thousands of children, and no link has been found between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Other concerns are the side effects of getting the shot, such as pain or swelling at the injection site. 2 in 100 children may get a rash from the vaccine, and 19 in 100 get a fever. Fortunately, these symptoms will go away on their own. Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction where the individual experiences hives, swelling in the face, hands, and feet, and potential unconsciousness, happens in 1 in 1 million cases.
The Schneck Approach to Preventive Care
If you think you or your child have measles, consult your primary care physician. Your doctor will most likely diagnose the condition based on symptoms alone, but in some cases, a blood, urine, or throat swab test may be needed. Your doctor may also consult the infectious disease team for further insight.
While there is no specific treatment for measles, your doctor will suggest various home remedies to ease the symptoms. Drinking fluids, getting plenty of rest, using a humidifier to moisten the air, and taking vitamin A are all helpful practices.
If you or your child have never received an MMR vaccine and were exposed to measles within the last 72 hours, your doctor may suggest a post-exposure vaccination. Even if you still develop measles after getting the shot, the symptoms will weaken.
Pregnant women, immunocompromised people, and children may receive an immune serum globulin injection. It’s filled with antibodies that, when given within 6 days of measles exposure, can prevent the illness or, at the very least, weaken the symptoms.
If you have not been exposed to measles or gotten the MMR vaccine, please consider contacting your provider to get the immunization anyway. This is the best preventive measure you can take for measles.
No matter what, our team is here to help you. Make sure you come to your appointment with questions and information about where you’ve recently traveled or how you may have been exposed to measles. If you are bringing your child, read our blog for preparing for pediatric appointments.
We're Here for You
Find the support, care and answers you need at Schneck. For preventive medicine and methods to relieve measles symptoms, make Schneck your first point of contact.
