Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation and even death. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, measles still affects millions of people around the world every year.
In this post, we will discuss the top 15 things you need to know about measles:
1. Measles is caused by a virus called Morbillivirus. It spreads through coughing and sneezing, and can survive on surfaces for up to two hours.
2. The symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, coughing, red eyes and a rash that starts on the face and spreads throughout the body.
3. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known to man – it has an R0 (pronounced R-naught) value of 12-18 which means that one person with measles will infect between 12-18 others if they are not vaccinated or immune.
4. There is no cure for measles but it can be prevented with vaccination. The MMR vaccine (measles-mumps-rubella) is highly effective at preventing infection when given in two doses as recommended by health authorities.
5. Measles outbreaks are becoming more common due to declining vaccination rates worldwide which have been fueled in part by misinformation about vaccine safety spread via social media channels.
6. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there were approximately 7 million cases of measles globally in 2016 resulting in over 90 thousand deaths – mostly among children under five years old who had not received vaccinations due to lack of access or parental refusal.
7. In rare cases, complications from measles can be severe including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), pneumonia requiring hospitalization and even death in about one case per thousand infections.
8. People who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated should avoid traveling internationally where there may be higher rates of measles transmission.
9. Measles is the leading cause of death among young children in developing countries, despite being preventable with vaccination.
10. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and has been used for over 50 years without any evidence of long-term harm or adverse effects.
11. Vaccination against measles not only protects individuals but also helps to protect vulnerable people who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons such as immunodeficiency disorders or allergies.
12. In the United States, measles was declared eliminated in 2000 thanks to high levels of vaccination coverage (over 90%) but it has since re-emerged due to pockets of unvaccinated people and imported cases from other countries where it remains endemic.
13. Measles can be diagnosed through blood tests that detect antibodies against the virus, or by clinical examination by a healthcare provider who may observe typical symptoms such as Koplik spots (small white spots on the inside lining of the mouth).
14. If you think you have been exposed to someone with measles, contact your healthcare provider immediately for advice about whether you need testing or vaccination.
15. In conclusion, measles is a serious disease that can lead to severe complications and even death if left untreated. Vaccination is safe and effective at preventing infection – so make sure you are up-to-date on your shots!