Do you remember the time as a kid where you had the measles and you had to stay home? Most of the time we connect measles as a children disease but it can affect anyone. You will most likely remember the rash over your whole body but it comes with a lot more than that. The measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.

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measles is very contagious and can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Some numbers published by the CDC state that:

• About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who get measles will be hospitalized
• 1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling, which could lead to brain damage
• 1 to 3 out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even with the best care
• This month, the CDC and WHO (World Health Organization) released a report that about 22 million children (about the population of New York) who were eligible for measles vaccinations in 2022 did not get them. How scary is this! COVID was the main cause of the U.S. lagging in staying up to date on basic vaccinations, including the measles.

This leaves a large population of children susceptible and even adults to infection implying that if a measles outbreak would happen, of the 22 million, 4,4 million end up in the hospital. Even worse, 22,000 to 66,000 could possibly die.

Lower income countries typically see higher rates of measles infections and deaths due to lower vaccination rates. But the U.S. is of course not a lower income country!

How is it Spread and What are the Symptoms?

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spread by someone infected who is coughing, sneezing or breathing the air breathed by someone with measles. Reason for high infectivity is that the virus remains active and therefore contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. One person infected by measles can infect no less than nine out of 10 of their unvaccinated close contacts. It can be transmitted four days prior to the onset of the rash to four days after the rash erupts.

Symptoms to look for include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose (coryza)
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Rash (3-5 days after symptoms begin)

Want to Accurately take a Temperature?

Get a reliable thermometer like Exergen’s Temporal Artery thermometer that gives you a fast and extraordinary, non invasive, accurate reading. The fever can go up and may spike to more than 104° F which will frighten anybody. Better to have the most accurate reading and thermometer at hand.

Unsure how to actually take a correct temperature? Check our education video on how to your take a temperature.

Measles can result in severe complications and deaths community-wide vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. All children should be vaccinated against measles. The vaccine is safe, affordable and effective.