Measles is on the rise: How to keep your family safe

The U.S. is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in 25 years. While measles is a serious respiratory virus, it can be prevented through vaccination — less than 5 percent of cases this year have occurred in people who are vaccinated.

Here’s what to know about measles and how to protect yourself and your family.

Why is measles making a comeback? 

In 2000, the U.S. declared measles eliminated because as a nation we had high levels of herd immunity from vaccination, shares Mary Fairchok, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.

Herd immunity means that when enough of a population is immune, it’s very difficult for a disease to spread. Yet in recent years, herd immunity has declined due to vaccine misinformation. Federal data indicates that the proportion of kindergartners with vaccine exemptions has now reached an all-time high.

“At least 95 percent of the population must be vaccinated in order to avoid outbreaks of measles,” Dr. Fairchok says. “The percentage of vaccinated people has now dipped below that threshold, leaving communities, including those in Washington, vulnerable to measles outbreaks.”

Measles symptoms 

Measles spreads from person to person through the air. Since the virus can remain in the air for several hours, it’s possible to catch measles by entering a room where an infected person has been.

Measles is so contagious that up to nine out of 10 people who are near an infected person are likely to get sick — unless they are immune, reports the Seattle & King County Department of Public Health.

Symptoms of measles include:

• High fever
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes
• Blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads all over the body

Who’s at risk for measles?

While often referred to as a “childhood disease,” measles can infect anyone — and it can cause severe health problems, even in healthy children. These include diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, permanent brain damage and long-term damage to the immune system.

Measles can also be fatal. Two children with measles, both unvaccinated and with no other health problems, died amid an outbreak in Texas — the first measles-related deaths to occur in the U.S. since 2015.

Those most at risk for measles complications include:

• Children under 5
• Adults older than 20
• People with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant people — who are at risk for premature labor, miscarriage and the delivery of low-birth-weight babies

Debunking vaccine myths

Misinformation about measles vaccines, and vaccines in general, is widespread. Here’s what Dr. Fairchok would like you to know:

• The measles vaccine does not cause outbreaks. The measles vaccine cannot cause the disease to spread from person to person.
• Vitamin A does not prevent or cure measles. Doctors may give vitamin A to patients who are infected with measles because the disease can cause vitamin A levels to drop. Too much vitamin A can be harmful.
• Vaccines do not cause autism. This is a recurring myth. Multiple studies have disproven the claim that vaccines cause autism.

How to get vaccinated 

Vaccination is the only way to protect yourself and your child from measles. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides durable protection against each of these viruses and is extremely safe and effective. To receive maximum protection, you must get two doses of the MMR vaccine.

The first dose is usually given to babies between 12 and 15 months. The second dose is given when children are between 4 and 6 years old. During an outbreak situation in your community, your doctor or other health care provider may recommend a slightly different dosing timeline.

There are multiple ways to get the MMR vaccine for yourself or your child:

• Make an appointment with your primary care provider or pediatrician
• Visit the Mary Bridge Children’s Immunization Clinic (in Pierce County)
• Use the Washington State Department of Health’s Vaccine Finder tool

If you’re not sure whether you’re protected from measles, talk to your primary care provider.

Been exposed or have symptoms? Here’s what to do

If you suspect you or your child have measles, it’s important to seek care. However, please call your doctor or other health care provider before you go. They can advise you on next steps to help avoid exposing others to the virus.

Do not arrive at your doctor’s office, urgent care or other walk-in clinic unannounced, as this may spread measles to others.

If you are unvaccinated and have been exposed, contact your provider. Getting the measles vaccine within 72 hours of exposure may stop you from getting sick. Unvaccinated, high-risk people, such as infants who are unable to get the vaccine, can receive another type of medication within six days of exposure to help protect them from infection.

Vaccine resources

• Recommended childhood vaccine schedule
• Recommended adult vaccine schedule (PDF)
• What to know about vaccine ingredients and safety
• Can vitamin A prevent or cure measles?

Measles resources for providers

• Think measles one-pager
• Recognizing measles in your patients
• Measles specimen collection for RT-PCR (PDF)
• Measles specimen collection for serology