By now, you’ve probably heard about the measles outbreak that began on the west coast, and now is in other places throughout the United States. As of February 10, 2015, a total of 121 people from 17 states and the District of Columbia were reported to have the measles. You may be wondering if/when the measles will hit the Tri-State area, and what you can do to prepare yourself and your family.
We have the answers.
As of now, there is not an outbreak locally; however, cases have been reported in Ohio and potential cases have been reported in Kentucky. So it’s important to know the facts about measles and get your family vaccinated as soon as possible, if they are not already.
Here are a few questions you may have, with answers provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
- What is the measles?
Measles is a serious respiratory disease (in the lungs and breathing tubes) that causes a rash and fever. It is very contagious. In rare cases, it can be deadly.
- What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles start with a fever that can get very high. Some of the others symptoms that may occur are:
o Cough, runny nose and red eyes
o Rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spread to the rest of the body
o Diarrhea
o Ear infection
- What happens if you get the measles?
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. From 2001-2003, 28 percent of children younger than 5 years old who had measles had to be treated in the hospital. For some children, measles can lead to:
o Pneumonia (a serious lung infection)
o Lifelong brain damage
o Deafness
o Death
- How does the measles spread?
Measles spreads when a person infected with the virus breathes, coughs or sneezes. It is very contagious. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, up to two hours after that person is gone.
- What about the vaccination?
Doctors recommend that all children receive the measles-mumps-rubella shot (called the MMR shot). The MMR shot is very safe. Most children who get it have no side effects. Side effects that do occur are usually very mild, such as fever or rash. More serious side effects are rare. These may include high fever that could cause a seizure (in about one person out of every 3,000 who get the shot) and temporary pain or stiffness in joints (mostly in teens and adults).
Since Greater Cincinnati is home to an international airport, children can become infected and spread the disease to other parts of the world, much like how the disease spread from Disneyland. In order to prevent this from happening to your family, the CDC recommends ensuring all vaccinations are up to date, especially if you plan to travel.
“These are the things folks need to seriously consider when they decide to vaccinate or not vaccinate their children,” said Patricia Burns, infection control manager at St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
Remember – the measles is serious. If you believe someone you know is infected with the measles, call (859) 301-5444.
