Measles is not a disease that has completely disappeared, as many people believe. Especially for those who are not vaccinated, this virus still poses a serious threat. From time to time, measles outbreaks are reported in different countries around the world.
Here are 10 important facts you should know about measles.
1. Measles can make people seriously ill
Measles usually begins with fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash.
However, in some cases more serious complications may occur, including:
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pneumonia (the most common cause of death from measles)
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inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
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hearing loss
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intellectual or developmental problems
According to statistics, 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 children infected with measles may die.
2. Measles is extremely contagious
Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases in the world.
An infected person can transmit the virus to 12–18 other people.
The virus spreads through the air via:
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sneezing
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breathing
One of the most dangerous aspects is that people can spread the virus even before the rash appears.
The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours in a room where an infected person has coughed or sneezed.
3. Measles can be prevented through vaccination
A vaccine to prevent measles has been widely used since 1963.
This vaccine is commonly known as the MMR vaccine, which protects against:
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measles
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mumps
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rubella
Some versions also include protection against chickenpox.
4. Although measles was declared eliminated in the U.S., it can return
In 2000, U.S. health authorities declared measles eliminated in the country.
For the next decade, only a few hundred cases were reported each year. Most of these cases involved travelers who became infected while abroad.
However, in 2014, 644 measles cases were reported in the United States.
Some of these cases involved people who became infected in other countries and then returned to the U.S. while still contagious.
5. Before the vaccine, almost every child got measles
Before measles vaccination became widespread, nearly all children contracted measles by the age of 15.
In the United States each year:
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3–4 million people became infected
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400–500 people died
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48,000 people were hospitalized
6. People who get measles usually do not get it again
A person who recovers from measles develops lifelong immunity to the virus.
This means that someone who has had measles usually will not become infected again.
7. Some people cannot receive the vaccine
Some individuals cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
For example:
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infants younger than one year
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people with weakened immune systems
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individuals with certain cancers or undergoing treatments that suppress the immune system
For this reason, it is very important that most people in the community are vaccinated to help protect those who cannot receive the vaccine.
8. The measles vaccine provides strong protection
The measles vaccine is highly effective, although not perfect.
According to the CDC:
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one dose protects about 93% of people
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two doses provide about 97% protection
Even when fully vaccinated people get measles, they usually experience milder symptoms and are less likely to spread the disease to others.
9. There is no link between the measles vaccine and autism
Some people worry that the measles vaccine may cause autism.
This claim originated from a study published in 1998.
However, other scientists later discovered serious flaws in that research. The author of the study later admitted that the data did not support the claim.
As a result:
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the article was retracted from the scientific journal
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the author lost his license to practice medicine
Today, numerous scientific studies show that there is no evidence of a link between the measles vaccine and autism.
10. It is never too late to get vaccinated
If a person is unsure whether they have been vaccinated and does not have medical records confirming it, the CDC recommends receiving the MMR vaccine.
Doctors can also perform a blood test to check whether antibodies against measles are present.
The CDC notes that receiving an additional dose of the MMR vaccine is not harmful, even if a person has already been vaccinated and no one remembers it.