Preventing Measles
By Mike Citak, M.D., Chief Medical Officer
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital
This winter brought unexpected news in our nation – a multi-state outbreak of measles. This outbreak, which began at Disneyland in California in December 2014, has spread to several states and impacted nearly 200 individuals. It is the largest outbreak of measles the United States has seen in two decades.
While a local outbreak of measles is unlikely, the best way for our community to protect itself is to be educated about this disease, its signs, symptoms, spread and prevention. Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital is well prepared to address cases of measles in our state and provide our community with the information it needs to protect local families from infection.
What exactly is measles?
Measles is a serious, highly contagious respiratory disease cause by a virus. Common complications from measles include ear infections and diarrhea, and severe cases can cause pneumonia, convulsions, blindness, brain damage and death.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Common symptoms include:
•Fever, which can become very high
•Runny nose
•Cough
•Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye
•Rash running from the hairline to the face and neck
•Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth
How is measles spread?
Measles is very contagious and spreads in several ways including:
•By an infected person. A person with measles can spread the disease approximately four days before their symptoms appear until four days after their rash appears.
•Through the air. Droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person can make others sick for up to two hours after that person leaves a room.
•On surfaces. Surfaces – tables, doorknobs, keyboards, and phones – touched by an infected person can transmit the measles virus to others.
The incubation period for measles from exposure to fever can be 7-12 days, and the time from exposure to rash onset can be 7-21 days.
What do you do if you have been exposed to measles?
If you or your child has been near someone diagnosed with measles or begins to exhibit any of the symptoms associated with the disease, notify your healthcare provider or contact Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital immediately. Early intervention can help prevent the spread of infection and assist in treating an infected person’s symptoms.
What can you do to prevent measles?
The most important thing we all can do is get vaccinated. The measles vaccine is known as the MMR vaccine and also protects against mumps and rubella. It is estimated that 95 of 100 people who get fully vaccinated will be protected from measles.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended for children. The first should be administered between 12 and 15 months and the second between ages 4 and 6. Adults born after 1957 who have not been vaccinated also should receive 1-2 doses of the MMR vaccine, although adults should contact their healthcare provider to discuss appropriate immunization.
If you need the MMR vaccine or have any concerns about whether you may or may not be fully vaccinated, contact your doctor for assistance.
For more information about this disease and its current outbreak please visit: www.cdc.gov/measles.
