Measles: 5 things to know about disease and vaccination

Measles outbreaks have been reported in parts of Washington, New York and Texas, according to reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It has already been reported that measles has gained ground with the advent of the anti-vaccination movement, which we thought was almost eradicated in the United States, USA Today reported. The publication says that a quarter of the kindergarten children in a Washington County who are currently battling an epidemic are not vaccinated.

"People are not afraid of measles," said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Philadelphia Children's Hospital, according to the publication. "It's not just that we have largely eliminated these diseases. We have eliminated the memory of these diseases. People do not realize how bad it can make you sick. "

Here's what you need to know:

1. How is measles spread?

The measles virus is transmitted primarily through coughing and sneezing – it is incredibly contagious, according to reports from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Most bacteria and viruses, you … have to breathe a lot of these viruses to get sick, but with measles, it takes very little," said Dr. Karen Smith, director of the California Department of Public Health, according to The Sacramento. Bee.

The virus can live for up to two hours in the air or on infected surfaces, the CDC says. Infected persons can transmit measles four days before the appearance of rash to four days later.

Ninety percent of those exposed to the virus who are not immunized will have measles, also known as rubella, says the CDC.

"When you have a large number of unvaccinated people and you introduce measles into this population, it's like lighting a match in a gas can," said Alan Melnick, Clark County Public Health Director. , Washington, USA Today.

2. What are the symptoms?

Most people develop measles symptoms 10 to 14 days after being exposed to the virus, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms may include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes and, most famously, rashes, pimples and bumps, the clinic says.

The face normally starts first, the rash spreading along the body, arms and legs when the fever soars, reports the Mayo Clinic.

3. How is measles treated?

There is no prescription medication for measles, reports HealthLine. The symptoms usually last about two weeks.

Aspirin can relieve fever and muscle aches, depending on the site, while rest, fluids and humidifiers can make patients more comfortable. Vitamin A doses can also help, depending on the site.

People with measles can be isolated and exposed people can be quarantined by public health authorities to try to curb the spread of the disease, reported The Sacramento Bee.

4. Can you die of measles?

In 2016, 89,780 people died of measles worldwide, reported the World Health Organization. It is estimated that 7 million people contracted the virus in 2016, mainly in Africa and Asia.

In the United States, 86 people in 19 states got measles in 2016, CNN reported. The last measles death in the United States occurred in 2015, says the Centers for Disease Control.

The CDC says measles can be very dangerous for children under 5 and adults over 20 years old.

Common complications include diarrhea and ear infections, but more serious complications include pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, which can lead to hearing or intellectual impairment. Pregnant women who catch the virus may give birth prematurely.

5. How to prevent measles?

The vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella boosts immunity against the virus, reports the Mayo Clinic. The first dose is normally given between 12 and 15 months, with a second dose between 4 and 6 years.

The measles vaccine was developed for the first time in the United States in 1963, with an improved version designed in 1968, the CDC reported.

In 2000, health officials said measles was eliminated in the United States, mainly through vaccination, according to the CDC.

The rise of the anti-vaccination movement, which encourages parents not to vaccinate their children by citing contamination and autism fears, has caused a resurgence of the disease, USA Today reported.