Measles in Kids: Symptoms & Prevention

MEASLES RESURGENCE

In 1963 measles vaccine was developed. Prior to then, annually up to 4,000,000 people in the U.S. became infected, 500 people died, 50,000 were hospitalized and 1000 developed brain swelling which may lead to significant neurologic deficits. Pneumonia may appear.   Because of the vaccine, transmission within the U.S. was eliminated by 2000.  In 1998 an article by Andrew Wakefield was published in a very prestigious journal in England.  The article was removed from the journal after a thorough investigation and a professional panel found him guilty of fraud, research ethics and financial conflicts of interest with a definitive disregard for patient welfare because of his totally false conclusion that measles vaccine caused autism.  It is one of the most serious infractions of medical history. Remarkably, 25% of the U.S. population still believes the erroneous Wakefield RESULTS.

In 2024, the CDC had received 20 cases of measles in less than the first 2 months.  In 2019 the U.S. suffered the worst measles outbreak in 25 years.  Almost 1,300 measles cases spread through under immunized communities targeted with vaccine misinformation.  Many of the FACTORS THAT ALLOWED SPREAD IN 2019 HAVE RETURNED OR WORSENED.  In 2023 the CDC found that national vaccine coverage for state required vaccines decreased by several % points. 

A number of cases of the highly contagious disease have occurred in a Broward County primary school.  A highly placed Florida health official wrote to parents stating it was fine to send their UNVACCINATED CHILDREN to the school. This advice of deferring to parents or guardian about school attendance is in disregard to the advice of the CDC for a prolonged period of quarantine for anybody without a history of prior infection or immunization.

Measles is very contagious. If one person has it almost 90% of those close to the infected person are not immune will become infected.  It floats in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the room.   It can be spread from four days before or after a rash appears, typically beginning at the hairline and then spreads downward. It spreads through coughing and sneezing.  If others breathe the contaminated air or touches infected surfaces, then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.  You do not want to skip recommended immunizations or visit where an infected person is located