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children younger than 5 years of age
and adults older than 20 years of
age and can include ear infections,
diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis
and death.
The good news is, while extremely contagious and dangerous, this
disease is also preventable. The
measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
vaccine, offers safe, effective and
long-lasting protection against all
strains of measles. Pediatricians recommend two doses of this vaccine,
one at 12-15 months of age and
another at 4-6 years of age, for the
best protection possible.
“One dose of the MMR vaccine
is 93% effective against the disease,
and two doses is even more effective, at 97%. Getting your child
vaccinated is the best way to ensure
they remain safe and immune to
this disease, and also to help keep
the disease from spreading,” said
Dr. Childers. “While there are
some concerns about the safety of
the MMR vaccine, the best way to
determine what mode of prevention
is right for your child is to consult
with your pediatrician before making any decisions.”
Since January
of this year,
more than
175 confirmed
cases of
Measles on the Rise
By Sarah Wilder,
Lexington Clinic
In July, a measles-related death
was confirmed in the U.S. – the
first reported death in more than 10
years. Additionally, since January of
this year, more than 175 confirmed
cases of measles have been reported
in the U.S., making this disease,
declared eliminated from the U.S. in
2000, relevant once again.
“Measles, most common among
children, can be serious, even
deadly, if contracted. About 25%
of people who do contract measles
will end up hospitalized, and 1 or
2 out of 1000 cases will end in a
fatality,” said Kyle Childers, M.D.,
Lexington Clinic pediatrician. “This
disease has become prevalent again,
and it is important for parents to
know the details of what to look for,
and how to prevent measles.”
Measles is contracted through
close proximity or contact with
someone who has the virus. It is so
contagious, that just being in the
same room with that person means
there is a chance of being infected
with the disease.
“This highly-contagious disease
spreads at alarming rates among
those who are not vaccinated
against the disease. Just by simply
being near someone, or in a room
recently occupied by someone with
the disease, puts you at risk for contracting measles if you are not protected. The disease can live outside
the body for up two hours and can
be spread even before signs of the
disease are apparent in the infected
person,” said Dr. Childers. “That
is why it is extremely important to
immediately seek medical attention
if you suspect you or your child
have been exposed to the disease.”
Measles usually begins with a
measles have
been reported
in the U.S.,
making this
disease,
declared
eliminated
from the
Kyle Childers, M.D., Lexington Clinic pediatrician
high fever, cough, runny nose and
red, watery eyes. As the disease
progresses, tiny white spots appear
inside the mouth and a rash breaks
out on the skin. Usually, when the
rash appears, so does a fever, sometimes as high as 104° Fahrenheit.
While complications can occur at
any age, they are more common in
U.S. in 2000,
relevant once
again.