Dr. Sharon Nachman, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning Americans to make sure they're fully protected against the measles before traveling internationally this summer. The CDC issued a health alert and guidance on measles during the summer travel season.
Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, says "Measles is highly contagious. Breathing the air of a room where someone with measles was in (even if they are not still in it) will result in an individual getting this infection. Think about all the public places you and your family go this summer. People are traveling more – and may visit a country where measles is still a problem. Today expecting community protection is no longer reasonable with the current levels of community vaccination for measles."
Dr. Nachman can answer questions about this infection to keep the community and public safe.
Who could get the measles?
Anyone who hasn’t been properly vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, or who hasn’t already had a medically confirmed case of the measles.
In addition, these groups are also considered vulnerable:
- Infants who are too young to get vaccinated
- People with weakened immune systems as a result of certain diseases including diabetes, cancer and AIDS
- People who received certain medicines and/or treatments, such as monoclonals, anticancer drugs, radiation therapy and stem cell or organ transplants
- People who, for medical reasons, such as being pregnant, are unable to get vaccinated
- Elderly people whose previous vaccine immunity may have worn off
- People born between 1957 and 1985
Note: People born in the U.S. before 1957, when measles was common in the U.S., are considered at low risk. They should speak with their doctor to see if vaccination is recommended.
How contagious is measles?
Very. The measles virus is spread through the air, can travel more than 60 feet and can live in a room for several hours. Now that the weather is nicer, people are getting out more and having contact with others. This means there is more likelihood that additional cases will be seen.
Even if you have been exposed, if you get the vaccine quickly, you may be able to avoid coming down with measles. But you should call your doctor first – don’t just show up at the office or at an urgent care facility – because you could end up exposing everyone in the waiting room.
Is measles dangerous?
Yes. While some people may have mild symptoms, others can have severe or even life-threatening ones. These include measles, pneumonia and measles encephalitis. One particularly disturbing consequence of contracting measles at a young age can be the development of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). This progressive neurological disorder of children and young adults affects the central nervous system. Patients develop a severe brain infection six to 10 years after having measles, which can lead to profound mental and physical deterioration and eventually coma and death. It is estimated that 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 children who had measles will develop SSPE.
What are the symptoms?
People with measles may have initial symptoms that are typical of many viral illnesses such as irritability, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis. They are already highly infectious to others at this time. The rash people generally associate with the disease starts on the head and spreads down through the trunk of the body, usually at the peak of respiratory symptoms (two weeks after exposure), about three days into illness. In other words, well before the rash appears, people in contact with the sick person may have already been exposed.
Is the measles vaccine truly safe?
Yes. The measles vaccine is actually a combination vaccine, called MMR, covering measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). It’s considered very safe and, when administered according to the schedule recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), can provide 97 percent protection from measles.
It’s also important to note that there are no and never have been preservatives, such as thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, in the MMR vaccine. A widespread myth is that some ingredients in vaccines cause autism. However, multiple scientific studies have shown no link between any vaccine ingredient and autism.
How do I know if I’m protected?
If you think you’ve been exposed, be sure let your doctor know – and find out your vaccine status if you’re not aware of it. Even if you have not been recently exposed, but you fall into one of the at-risk categories mentioned previously, ask your doctor if you should have the vaccine. If you care for or have regular contact with at-risk people (e.g., young babies, elderly people or people who have suppressed immune systems) make sure you mention that to your doctor as well.
Interviews with Dr. Sharon Nachman from Stony Brook Children's Hospital can be conducted.
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