Measles Cases Rising: What Parents Need To Know

Typically, when school is out for the summer, your child’s risk of getting measles is significantly less because they are exposed to fewer people. This year, however, there has been an increase in cases.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected child breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms of measles usually begin 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. For this reason, it is very infectious, and one child with measles can infect nine out of 10 of their unvaccinated close contacts.

Symptoms and Treatment for Measles

Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, fatigue, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes.

After two to four days, a rash typically appears — starting on your child’s face and spreading to their chest, back, arms and legs. In some cases, small white or bluish spots may show up inside your child’s mouth a day or two before the rash develops.

Treatment for measles is primarily supportive and includes using antipyretics –ibuprofen or acetaminophen -- to reduce fever, making sure your child stays hydrated and monitoring for potential complications. There is no specific antiviral therapy available. Vitamin A supplementation may help lower your child’s risk of complications and death.

Why Do We Have Measles Outbreaks Now?

Measles outbreaks are happening more often because fewer children are getting vaccinated. Some parents are hesitant or unsure about vaccines, and many children missed routine shots during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, people are traveling to and from countries where measles is more common. When someone brings the virus back with them, it can spread quickly, especially in communities where not enough people are protected.

How Serious Is Measles for Your Child?

Measles in children can lead to other health complications, such as ear

infections and diarrhea. Pneumonia is the most serious complication and is the leading cause of measles-related deaths in children. Although rare, severe brain complications like encephalitis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) also can develop, sometimes years after the initial infection.

The virus also causes “immune amnesia,” making your child’s body unable to defend itself against illnesses it already has been exposed to and leaving your child more susceptible to future infections.

Individuals most at risk for contracting measles are those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated — especially young children. People residing in communities with low vaccination coverage and those traveling to areas experiencing measles outbreaks also are at high risk.

For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Keeping Your Child Safe

The most effective way to protect children is by ensuring they receive the full MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination on schedule. This includes two doses: the first between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old. In situations such as outbreaks or before international travel, infants ages 6 months and older may get an early dose. However, this early dose does not replace the standard two-dose series, which still should be administered at the recommended ages.

Unfortunately, some people still are afraid of the MMR vaccine, even though strong research shows it is safe and works well. A big reason for this fear is the false idea that the MMR vaccine causes autism, which has been proven untrue. Other reasons include worries about vaccine safety, mistrust of health officials and misinformation on the internet. But many studies have shown there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism or serious problems. Most side effects are mild, and serious issues are very rare, much less common than the risks from getting measles, mumps or rubella.