Measles vaccination best prevention

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Donte McClain
  • 66th Medical Squadron Public Health
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 102 people from 14 states were reported to have measles in January, many of whom were not vaccinated for the measles. 

Measles is still common in many parts of the world, including some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa. People traveling to those areas are susceptible to measles exposure and risk bringing it to the United States. An outbreak results when it reaches groups of people who are unvaccinated.

The 66th Medical Squadron Public Health office provides these answers to some common measles questions.

Is this virus easy to catch (contagious)? 
Measles is a very contagious and potentially severe or deadly viral disease. The virus can remain airborne or survive on surfaces that an infected person came in contact with up to two hours earlier. It is often spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the CDC website, measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.

What are the signs and symptoms of measles and how is it spread?
The virus that causes measles is found in the nose and throat of an infected person. Measles starts as a fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (pinkeye) and a red pinpoint rash that commonly starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles can spread the disease from four days before, until four days after, the onset of a rash. The first symptoms usually appear 10 to 14 days after exposure to an infected person. Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death.

Who is at risk?
The people most at risk are infants less than 12 months of age and children older than one year who have not had at least one measles/mumps/rubella, or MMR, vaccination. In addition, children older than 4 years who have not had a second MMR vaccination, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are at risk.

How can I protect myself?
The best way to protect you and your family from contracting measles is to ensure everyone is vaccinated. All children should get two doses of MMR vaccine; the first dose at 12 to15 months of age and the second dose at 2 to 6 years of age. For adults, check your vaccination status. If you do not have evidence of immunity, get vaccinated.

Measles immunization is the key to prevention of this potentially serious infection. Failing to vaccinate puts everyone at risk. 

For those with additional questions on the measles are asked to visit www.cdc.gov/measles or contact the Public Health office at 781-225-6235 or 781-225-6257.