Despite the availability of a safe, inexpensive and effective vaccine, measles remains the leading cause of death among young children globally. Each year, measles infects 20 million people worldwide. In 2011, there were 158,000 measles deaths globally — 430 a day, or 18 deaths every hour. Most were children younger than 5, and more than half of the deaths occurred in India. About 95 percent of measles deaths occur in low-income countries without vaccination programs.
Measles is common in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Americas, usually occurring in late winter and spring. An aggressive vaccination program almost eliminated measles in the United States; most outbreaks now result from international travel. This year, the number of U.S. measles cases more than doubled. As of Aug. 24, 139 cases were reported; about 26 percent of these people got measles abroad and brought it home, resulting in outbreaks in U.S. communities including Fort Worth, Texas, and Portland, Ore.
Measles is a highly contagious, serious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is the most deadly of all childhood rash/fever illnesses. The measles virus normally grows in the cells in the back of the throat and lungs. It is spread by breathing, coughing or sneezing; droplets spray into the air and remain contagious on surfaces for up to two hours.
Those at risk for measles are children and adults who never received the measles vaccine; infants too young to receive the vaccine (less than 1 year); people with weakened immune systems, even if vaccinated; and adults born in 1957 or later who are not known to be immune to measles.
Symptoms generally begin seven to 14 days after infection and include bloodshot eyes, light sensitivity, blotchy rash, fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, red and watery eyes, and feeling run down and achy. Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. Three to five days after the first symptoms, a red or reddish-brown rash appears, usually beginning on the face at the hairline and spreading to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike to 104 degrees. In a mild to moderate case, fever subsides and the rash fades after a few days. Infected people are most contagious four days before until four days after rash onset.
Complications include severe diarrhea, dehydration, pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infection, loss of hearing, blindness and encephalitis. Severe cases are more common among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient intake of Vitamin A or immune systems weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases.
Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications, which are more common in children under 5 and adults over 20. As much as 10 percent of measles cases result in death among populations with malnutrition and a lack of health care. Pregnant women infected with measles are at risk of severe complications, miscarriage or preterm delivery. People who recover from measles are immune for life.
Call your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of measles. Diagnosis is based on physical examination or a measles blood test. A viral culture may be collected, but this test is rarely done.
Measles is treated with supportive care: plenty of rest, fluids and nutrition. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), bed rest and humidified air may relieve symptoms. Antibiotics may be ordered for an accompanying ear infection or respiratory infection. Some children need Vitamin A supplements to reduce risk of death and complications, usually in less-developed countries where nutrition is poor. Infected adults may require hospitalization.
Measles has been preventable through vaccination since 1963. People who do not have evidence of immunity (not fully vaccinated) are at risk during international travel. The measles vaccine contains live, attenuated measles virus and is highly effective. Taking immune serum globulin six days after exposure to the virus can reduce the risk of infection or lessen severity.
Before traveling abroad, check with your health care provider regarding your vaccination status and that of family traveling with you. Infants six to 11 months old should have one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children 12 months or older need two doses separated by at least 28 days. Adolescents or adults who have not had measles or been vaccinated should get two MMR doses separated by at least 28 days.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created guidelines for measles vaccination; pediatricians explain these guidelines to parents and encourage vaccination for children. Vaccines may have mild side effects. Talk to your health care provider about the risk and benefit of vaccines.
Some parents refuse to vaccinate their children because of unfounded fears that MMR vaccine causes autism. Large studies of thousands of children have found no such connection. Not vaccinating children can lead to outbreaks of measles, mumps and rubella, all of which are serious diseases. The Measles & Rubella Initiative aims to reduce measles mortality by 95 percent by 2015.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Read This Next
2013 Airline Of The Year And Hotel Of The Year
2013 / December 2013
Dec 5, 2013All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jun 2, 2023Diego Rivera’s America Presents the Most In-Depth Look at Artist’s Work in More than 20 Years
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, located in Bentonville, Arkansas, presents Diego Rivera’s America, the first major exhibition focused solely on the Mexican artist in more than 20 years, on view until July 31. Crystal Bridges is the second and final stop for the exhibition, the only remaining opportunity for visitors to experience Rivera's expansive vision of America.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
Daily
Jun 2, 2023San Antonio, Texas, Preserves Architectural Beauty for Future Generations
In San Antonio, Texas, old buildings are seldom destroyed. When they fall into disrepair, they are instead repurposed and restored to maintain the city’s history and traditions for future generations to appreciate. Whether it’s a former brewery or bank transforming into a chic hotel or a candy factory evolving into stylish lofts, this Texas city embraces both history and sustainability.
Daily
Jun 2, 2023Here’s How to Arrive in Style to the World’s Most Unforgettable Hotels
Make a grand entrance to these equally grand hotels:
Sponsored Content
Business or Leisure? With TAP Air Portugal, You Can Have Both!
Are you looking to enhance your business trip with a little leisure? Look no further than Portugal, a country renowned for its captivating blend of history, culture and natural beauty. And with TAP Air Portugal, you can effortlessly transform your business trip into an unforgettable bleisure adventure. Discover why Portugal and TAP Air Portugal are the perfect combination for an enriching and rejuvenating experience.
Protected: MORE TO TRAVEL
Sponsored
Jun 1, 2023Park Hyatt Tokyo Prepares for Its New Look
Daily
Jun 1, 2023London Concours Displays Golden Age Coupes
Daily
Jun 1, 2023Daily
May 31, 2023Pick These Resorts and Destinations for a Day of Self Care on Global Wellness Day
Celebrate Global Wellness Day on June 10 with a visit to one of these resorts or destinations.
eFlyer Reviews
May 31, 2023Homer and Janet by Homer Review
The Marais District, covering swaths of Paris’ 3rd and 4th arrondissments, has a distinctively gritty glamour that reveals it to be one of the city’s great incubators for new French food, fashion and lifestyle trends. It is here Moïse Sfez took on the challenge of creating street food establishments Homer in 2017 and Janet by Homer in 2022, doing it in such a way they both transcend the novelty of being regional American comfort food offered at stylized lunch counters matching up with New England lobster shacks and New York delis. Overwhelming local response and Sfez winning the 2018 Lobster Roll World’s Championship title in Portland, Maine, solidified him as a Paris restaurateur and one of France’s hottest culinary stars.
ShareThis