Measles remains one of the leading causes of death among young children
globally. On average, the disease kills between 1 and 3 of every 1,000
infected children.
“Measles is HIGHLY contagious. A person with measles is contagious
from just before having symptoms until 4 to 5 days after the rash appears.”
said Joy Duckworth, NP-C of
Catawba Valley Family Medicine Taylorsville.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) if one
person has the measles, 9 out of 10 people around him or her will also
become infected if they are not protected. The virus can live for up to
two hours on a surface or in an airspace. This means your child can get
measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been,
even up to two hours after that person has left.
The symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, sore and reddened eyes,
followed by a red-brown rash. The rash usually starts on the face and
spreads down the body, lasting three or more days. Once infected there
is no real treatment. Although most children recover with no ill side
effects, measles can cause pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, or ear
infections.
Parents, the good news is that you have the power to protect your child
against measles with a safe and effective vaccine. The best protection
against measles is measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. It provides long-lasting
prevention against all strains of measles.
The CDC’s recommended immunization schedule says that a child needs two doses of MMR vaccine for best protection:
The first dose at 12 to 15 months old and the second dose between the
age of 4 to 6 years old. North Carolina law requires all individuals to
be immunized with two doses of MMR vaccine prior to school entry.
Measles spread rapidly within groups of people who are unvaccinated. Getting
your child vaccinated, not only protects them but everyone around you.
Talk with your Catawba Valley Family Medical doctor about the measles
and MMR vaccine. To make an appointment with Joy Duckworth, NP- C at Catawba
Valley Family Medicine Taylorsville, located at 50 Macedonia Church Rd.
Suite A Taylorsville NC 28681, call 828.632.7076.
For more information on the most recent measles outbreak in the U.S. visit
CDC website.