Measles and the Vaccine....What You Need To Know!
By now you have likely seen news stories and read articles regarding the measles outbreak that started at Disneyland. A popular vacation destination for families has been affected by an infection many Americans thought was impossible to catch. Measles' presence in many other countries, including Europe, is highly contagious in nature and an increasing number of parents who don't vaccinate their children create the perfect storm for measles making a comeback.
Measles is a severe illness with high fever, eye inflammation so that the room must be dark for comfort, fatigue, cough and whole body rash. It can lead to ear infections, diarrhea and dehydration, croup, pneumonia and seizures in young children. One in every 1,000 children get brain inflammation that can cause brain damage and even death.
In order to be fully protected, you must receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children should receive the first dose of vaccine between 12-15 months of age. The second vaccine should be given between ages four and six.
There are many reasons why the measles virus is spreading so quickly. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors to Disneyland each day who may be just getting ill with measles, there are also large clusters of U.S. families around the country who don't permit their children to get MMR vaccine. This not only puts their friends at risk for measles, but others they come in contact with including infants too young to have been vaccinated and people with compromised immune systems. Vaccination is the key to not contracting measles, mumps and rubella and this is one of the most effective routine vaccines – nearly 99 percent after the two recommended doses.
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