The World Health Organization describes measles as a dangerous and highly contagious disease that is one of the leading causes of death in children all over the world. While many developed countries have greatly reduced the threat of measles, it remains a dangerous disease that rears its head when left unchecked. Let’s learn more about this illness with a few facts.
5 Measles Facts
1. Measles can cause severe illness, often leading to hospitalization and other complications. (Source)
Measles symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and skin rash. Unfortunately, 1 in 20 people with measles also get pneumonia, 1 in 1,000 get brain swelling, and 1 in 1,000 die of measles. It’s clear that measles is a highly dangerous illness, which is particularly risky for children. Measles outbreaks are becoming more common in the United States, jumping up to sixteen outbreaks in 2024.
2. Measles spreads through the air in droplets. (Source)
Measles is usually spread through coughs and sneezes, making it one of the most contagious diseases on the planet. It’s so contagious that if one person has measles, 90% of the people close to that person who aren’t immune will also catch measles. People without immunity can contract measles even in large areas, like grocery stores, schools, and gyms. The virus can survive on surfaces or in the air for two hours. People with measles are contagious four days before the rash appears and for up to four days after it clears.
3. The only reliable protection against measles is immunization. (Source)
The only sure way to prevent the spread of measles is through vaccination. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses of the vaccine have proven to be 97% effective against measles. The vaccine has been used for years and is generally considered safe, with only very rare side effects. It’s recommended that children receive the vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age.
4. Idaho has the highest number of kindergartners without a measles vaccination. (Source)
Unfortunately, there has been a growing decline in the number of children without measles vaccines in the U.S. Data shows that 20.4% of children in Idaho haven’t had a measles vaccine. This could be due to several factors, including religious beliefs, misinformation, a lack of confidence in vaccines, or limited access to vaccines, which may be a result of living in rural areas or inadequate health insurance coverage. On the other hand, only 1.7% of children in West Virginia don’t have the measles vaccine, which may be due to the state not allowing non-medical vaccine exemptions.
5. Measles can include a rash on the mouth, known as Koplik’s spots. (Source)
Measles is known for causing a rash, but before that rash spreads, you may see Koplik’s spots in the mouth. These are small, red spots with blue-white centers, and they usually appear before the rash is visible on the rest of the body. The first symptoms of measles are red eyes, fever, and cough.
Featured image photo credit: Wilfried Pohnke from Pixabay.
