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Questions & Answers
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What causes measles?
Measles is caused by a virus.
How does measles spread?
Measles is spread through the air by infectious droplets and is highly
contagious.
How long does it take to show signs of measles
after being exposed?
It takes an average of 10-12 days from exposure to the first symptom, which is
usually fever. The measles rash doesn't usually appear until approximately 14
days after exposure, 2-3 days after the fever begins.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, "pink eye," and a
rash. The rash usually lasts 5-6 days and begins at the hairline, moves to the
face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body.
How serious is measles?
Measles can be a serious disease, with 30% of reported cases experiencing one or
more complications. Death from measles occurred in approximately 2 per 1,000
reported cases in the United States from 1985 through 1992. Complications from
measles are more common among very young children (younger than five years of
age) and adults (older than 20 years of age).
What are possible complications from measles?
Diarrhea is the most common complication of measles (occurring in 8% of cases),
especially in young children. Ear infections occur in 7% of reported cases.
Pneumonia, occurring in 6% of reported cases, accounts for 60% of
measles-related deaths. Approximately one out of one thousand cases will develop
acute encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. This serious complication can
lead to permanent brain damage.
Measles during pregnancy increases the risk of
premature labor, miscarriage, and low-birth-weight infants, although birth
defects have not been linked to measles exposure.
Measles can be especially severe in persons with
compromised immune systems. Measles is more severe in malnourished children,
particularly those with vitamin A deficiency. In developing countries, the
case-fatality rate may be as high as 25%.
How do I know if my child has measles?
Measles is diagnosed by a combination of the patient's symptoms and by
laboratory tests.
Is there a treatment for measles?
There is no specific treatment for measles. People with measles need bed rest,
fluids, and control of fever. Patients with complications may need treatment
specific to their problem.
How long is a person with measles contagious?
Measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted from four days before the
rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears.
If I think my child has been exposed to
measles, what should I do?
You should contact your doctor immediately if you believe you or your child has
been exposed to measles. If your child has not been vaccinated, measles vaccine
may prevent disease if given within 72 hours of exposure. Immune globulin (a
blood product containing antibodies to the measles virus) may prevent or lessen
the severity of measles if given within six days of exposure.
How common is measles in the United States?
Before the vaccine was licensed in 1963, there were an estimated 3-4 million
cases each year. In the years following 1963, the number of measles cases
dropped dramatically, with only 1,497 cases in 1983, the lowest annual total
reported up to that time.
A measles epidemic occurred in the U.S. from
large outbreaks in many cities. From 1989 to 1991, 55,622 cases were reported
with a total of 123 measles-associated deaths. Half of the cases and deaths were
in children younger than five years of age. The most important cause of this
epidemic was low vaccination rates among preschool-age children.
Due to extensive vaccination efforts, the number
of reported measles cases fell during the 1990s. Only 37 cases were reported in
2004. However, new cases continue to be reported, primarily in populations that
have refused vaccination for religious or personal belief reasons. From January
through July 2008, CDC received reports of 131 measles cases from 15 states and
the District of Columbia—the highest year-to-date number since 1996. More than
90% of those infected had not been vaccinated, or their vaccination status was
unknown. Many of these individuals were children whose parents chose not to have
them vaccinated. Fifteen of the patients, including four infants, were
hospitalized.
In addition, measles is still common in many
other countries and can be easily imported or contracted when traveling.
Can you get measles more than once?
No.
Questions and answers
about measles vaccine
Technically reviewed by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, September 2009
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