Once thought to have been eradicated, measles has resurfaced, sparking concern over what this means and how to stay safe. In this insightful Q&A with Nina Shah, MD, SVP, chief quality and clinical value officer, we address common questions about measles, including tips on how you can protect yourself, your family and our community.
Q. What is measles?
A: Measles is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection commonly found in children; however, adults are also at risk. It spreads through droplets in the air and on surfaces when an infected person talks, breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles can lead to severe health consequences such as infections, pneumonia or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Q. How contagious is measles?
A: Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases; up to nine out of 10 susceptible persons with close contact to a measles patient will develop measles. The measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Q. What are the symptoms?
A: The first symptoms of measles include:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Dry cough
- Red eyes
After about three to five days of these symptoms, a rash usually develops with flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
Q. How is measles diagnosed?
A: Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to determine whether you have measles. Blood and other lab tests may also be performed.
Q. How is measles treated?
A: There is currently no cure for measles. You can help alleviate your symptoms at home by:
- Taking acetaminophen
- Getting plenty of rest
- Drinking lots of fluids
Q. What should I do if I'm sick?
A: If you suspect you have measles, stay home and contact your healthcare provider immediately. You will also want to isolate yourself from friends and family to prevent spreading the virus to others.
Q. How can I protect myself and my family?
A: Remember, not all information that goes viral is accurate.
- Stay informed with facts from reliable sources, such as the CDC.
- Make sure you know whether your family has received the measles vaccine.
Q. What is the measles vaccine?
A: The measles vaccine is part of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine series. It is typically given to children in a two-part series to prevent these three illnesses. The vaccine is a highly effective way to protect yourself and your family from getting infected. It also helps keep our most vulnerable community members, such as children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people, safe. Widespread vaccinations protect not only those receiving the vaccine, but also those who cannot receive them due to health issues. This is known as herd immunity.
Q. If the vaccine is so effective, where is this coming from?
A: The issue with the measles outbreak is not access or efficacy of vaccinations. The main reasons these outbreaks are occurring is an increase of unvaccinated travelers returning from abroad with measles and growing pockets of unvaccinated people within U.S. communities.
Q. How can I prevent illness?
A: To prevent illness, you should:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough, sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
- Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs – this will also help prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory viruses.
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