Time to take measles seriously

All it takes is one kid with measles to infect up to 18 others in their classroom. With school beginning soon, public health and education officials around the country are concerned about new outbreaks.

In the not too distant past, measles was considered “eliminated” in the U.S. because cases were almost unknown and 95% or more of Americans were vaccinated against it or had it in childhood. That herd immunity is slowly eroding, and our children are at greater risk of illness because of it.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases out there, even more so than COVID and flu virus. It spreads through tiny droplets when people cough or sneeze, and can live in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours (think school desks, cafeteria tables, lab stations).

And while today’s measles is no more dangerous than before, it can still result in pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling) or even death in very young children or those with immunocompromised systems. We’ve seen three deaths in Texas attributed to measles.

In addition, measles can leave someone with a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to other infections.

Illinois generally has experienced herd immunity, with vaccination rates at or above 95%. The state has seen 10 cases of measles this year, some in Cook County and others in the southern part of the state. There’s evidence, however, that vaccination rates are dropping in some Chicago schools and among kindergartners.

Massachusetts hasn’t seen a single case — yet — because its citizens maintain a vaccination rate of about 98%. There’s evidence, however, that the vaccination rate is not as strong among incoming kindergartners.

We all play a role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. The best way to keep the measles away from your child is to make sure they’ve had two doses of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, which has been proven safe and is 97% effective at prevention. Even if they do catch the virus, the illness is likely to be mild and short-lived.

That said, it’s possible there will be children in your child’s class who are unvaccinated and could well bring measles to school along with their homework and lunchbox. It will be easy for them to infect other unvaccinated children, causing an outbreak.

To help stop measles in its tracks:

If you’re unsure of your immune status and believe you were exposed to the measles, consult your health care provider right away. An MMR immunity blood test can show whether you have measles antibodies. (If you were born before 1957, you likely had measles and enjoy “presumptive immunity.”)

Consider getting an MMR booster shot, especially if you were immunized between 1963 and 1967. The vaccine used during those years was less effective because it was made from a killed rather than live virus. A booster is a harmless precaution, as long as your doctor says you are eligible to receive a live virus vaccine.

Regularly disinfect surfaces and common touchpoints, like door handles and light switches.

Keep your unvaccinated child home if any of these symptoms show up. It could be a cold or the flu, but it could also be measles. Symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after exposure.

• High fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes

• White spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)

• A red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads downward

Wait four days before going to a hospital to reduce the chance that the disease will be transmitted to others.

As a registered nurse and someone who’s worked in the medical field for most of my life, I advocate for science, not social media or crackpot theories about cod liver oil. (Cod liver oil, by the way, contains a lot of Vitamin A, which can be toxic in large doses, particularly with children.) Measles, once someone has it, is incurable — it has to run its course. It is a virus, not a bacteria, so it can’t be treated with antibiotics.

Fall is approaching, and with it will come flu season and RSV season. Cases of COVID are already on the rise around the country. We are so lucky to live in an era in which vaccines can keep us and our children safe from some of the most common human diseases. Please take advantage of it.

• Teri (Dreher) Frykenberg, a registered nurse, board-certified patient advocate, is the founder of www.NurseAdvocateEntrepreneur.com, which trains medical professionals to become successful private patient advocates. She is the author of “How to Be a Healthcare Advocate for Yourself & Your Loved Ones,” available on Amazon. Frykenberg offers a free phone consultation to readers. Contact her at Teri@NurseAdvocateEntrepreneur.com.