Protect Yourself and Stop the Spread: Measles Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Measles may sound like an illness of the past, but it can still spread when people aren’t protected. The good news is that measles is preventable. Getting vaccinated and knowing what to watch for can keep your family healthy.

AHN Grove City Hospital is here with the care and resources you need to stay well.

What is measles and what are the symptoms?

Measles is an airborne virus that spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Germs from these droplets can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, so it spreads very easily. Measles is a highly contagious virus, infecting nine out of ten people exposed to it.*

Common measles symptoms include:

• Cough
• Loss of appetite
• Runny nose
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation/redness of the eyes)
• Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• A red, blotchy rash that begins on the face and spreads inside the mouth and down the body

You may not notice symptoms right away. They usually appear 6 to 21 days after being exposed.

“Measles can look like a regular cold at first,” said Travis Denny, DO, family medicine doctor at AHN Grove City Hospital. “That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to a combination of symptoms, especially a fever and measles rash that spreads quickly.”

Long-term complications from measles

Without treatment, measles can lead to serious health problems, such as ear infections, pneumonia, or brain swelling. Rare fatal complications can present years after the original infection, so preventing getting measles in the first place is critical.

Who is at risk from measles?

Anyone can get measles, but it’s most dangerous for children under five years old, infants under one year old, adults older than 20 years old, and people with weakened immune systems. Babies and children are at a much higher risk for hospitalization or even death if their symptoms aren’t treated immediately.

Doctors at AHN Grove City Hospital can answer questions about your risk level and how to avoid long-term complications from measles.

What to do if you think you have measles

If you think you or your child may have measles, call your doctor immediately and stay away from others to avoid spreading the virus. Measles is contagious five days before the onset through four days after the onset of a rash.

Doctors will do a nose swab and blood test to confirm the infection. Because of how easily measles spreads, your doctor will make sure you or your child is treated in a separate room away from other patients. If they cannot treat you at their office, AHN Grove City Hospital’s ER can offer isolated care, but you should notify them ahead of time if you are concerned, to ensure proper isolation and safety for others.

Your care team will also contact the local health department to notify them that you or your child has measles. This helps them identify anyone else who may have been exposed and avoid a measles outbreak.

How is measles treated?

There is no specific medicine to cure measles. Measles treatment focuses on rest, fluids, and medicine to reduce fever and ease symptoms.

“Since there isn’t an antiviral medication to treat measles, our focus is on supportive care to help your body fight off the virus,” said Dr. Denny. “Our main priority is always to help patients feel as comfortable and supported as possible during treatment.”

Protect yourself and others with the measles vaccine

While measles spreads easily, it’s just as easy to prevent through vaccination with the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, as well as mumps and rubella. The vaccine is safe, effective, and has been studied for many years. According to the CDC, getting two doses of the MMR vaccine offers 97% protection against measles.**

Children should get their first dose at age one, and a second dose between ages four and six. Only two doses of the vaccine are needed to protect against the virus. If you received both doses of the MMR vaccine as a child, you won’t have to get it again.

It’s important to check with your doctor and confirm you or your child’s vaccine history to make sure all health records are updated, and that everyone in your family is protected.

There is a lot of confusing information online about vaccines, so it’s important that you talk directly with your doctor at AHN Grove City Hospital to get the most accurate information for your health and protection.

Close-to-home measles care

Doctors at AHN Grove City Hospital are here to keep you and your family healthy through education and preventive care. Reach out to a family doctor at AHN Grove City Hospital to schedule your vaccine.