Health Topic: Measles

Over the last few years, there has been growing anti-vaccine sentiments. This is troubling, because an increase in unvaccinated individuals, diminishes “herd”/community immunity.

What is herd immunity?

It is the idea that when a large portion of a community is immunized against a contagious disease, the opportunity for an outbreak is diminished, as there are more chances to contain the spread/transmission of the disease.

It’s imperative that we all realize that in this era of increased international travel, and global connectedness, diseases, even those not typically associated with a region, can spread rapidly from one area to another.

Some Information about Measles:

• Measles is a viral infection that spreads via respiratory droplets and is extremely contagious!
• The incubation period between exposure and illness is usually 10-12 days (can be as high 21 days).
• The beginning phase includes fever, poor appetite, feeling poorly, followed by pink eyes (sometimes with increased tears or pain when looking at light), runny nose and cough.
• Blue, white, or gray lesions inside the cheeks, across from the back teeth are sometimes present.
• The next phase may present as a red, bumpy, rash on the face, which then spreads.
• The rash can cover most of the body.
• Complications are common and can include bronchitis, pneumonia, brain infection (encephalitis), blindness, etc.

—  There is no evidence that the MMR vaccine causes autism. The small study that theorized a causal link between the measles vaccine and autism has been refuted by other peer-reviewed studies.

— The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that the Measles vaccination (MMR) be administered at age 1, with a booster between ages 4 and 6. Please contact us if you have questions about measles or your child’s measles vaccination status.

For more information, please visit – https://www.cdc.gov