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Public Health Solutions
District Health Department
995 East Hwy 33, Ste 1
Crete, NE 68333-2562
888.310.0565
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Measles
Background
Measles, sometimes called rubeola, is caused by a virus. The virus is spread from person to person through direct contact with respiratory droplets (coughs, sneezes). Measles is a disease of humans - there are no other animal species that incubate or spread the virus. Measles is often confused with roseola and rubella (German measles) because those two also cause rashes. Worldwide there are estimated to be 30 million cases and 700,000 deaths each year from measles. More than half of these occur in Africa.
Incidence
In countries where vaccination rates are high (~95%) measles are very rare. There are sporadic cases of measles in the United States, usually because visitors from other countries become infected before entering the country and spread the virus to unvaccinated or unprotected persons.
Symptoms
Classic measles starts with 2-3 days of respiratory symptoms, including cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and fever. The rash usually starts around the hairline and over the face, moving down gradually to the limbs and trunk. Fever may worsen as the rash spreads. After a few days the fever subsides and the rash recedes in the same order that it appeared. About 20% of cases lead to complications, usually pneumonia. Other complications include ear infections (can be severe enough to cause deafness), diarrhea, and brain infection. The most severe complications can result in death, but this is rare.
Measles Vaccine (MMR)
MMR is a combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella. The CDC advises that children receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, once at 12-15 months of age, and the second at 4-6 years old. Some adults are also advised to receive the vaccine. Ask your doctor or nurse for more information.
Those with life-threatening allergies to gelatin, neomycin (an antiobiotic), or to a previous dose of MMR vaccine should not receive the vaccine. Those who are ill should wait until they recover to be vaccinated. Pregnant women should wait until after they have given birth to be vaccinated, and women should avoid getting pregnant for at least 4 weeks after administration of the MMR shot.
The following people should check with their doctor before being vaccinated:
- HIV/AIDS infected or those with other immune-affecting diseases
- Those taking drugs that affect the immune system
- People with any kind of cancer
- People with blood disorders
- Those who have recently received blood transfusions
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