Measles isn’t any small deal. Earlier than vaccines have been widespread, measles was a typical childhood sickness. However in contrast to different frequent infections just like the flu or a chilly, measles isn’t gentle. Lengthy-term penalties of getting measles are very actual.
That’s why, as a household doctor and knowledgeable on immunizations and public well being, I’m nervous in regards to the resurgence of measles in our communities. In yearly since 2023, we’ve sequentially had exponentially growing circumstances of measles and a number of outbreaks throughout america.
Final 12 months, Texas was within the information with a big measles outbreak that concerned a whole lot of circumstances. And proper now, it’s South Carolina that is made headlines with one other outbreak, quickly approaching 1000 circumstances. Total, it seems to be like 2026 is on tempo proper now to simply surpass the greater than 2000 United States measles circumstances recognized in 2025.
Whereas it is a rising well being hazard, the excellent news is that there are clear steps you may take to guard your self, your loved ones and your group from measles.
Why measles is critical
Measles is extra critical than different viral illnesses due to two distinctive options: its severity and its skill to unfold very simply.
An acute case of measles normally begins with fever, cough, runny nostril, and conjunctivitis, signs much like different respiratory sicknesses. The basic crimson rash begins on the brow and strikes down over the physique a number of days later. However measles also can lead to a wide range of extra critical, long-term issues. Measles may cause life-threatening pneumonia and might injury your immune system’s skill to struggle off different illnesses, even these you’ve been vaccinated in opposition to prior to now. If measles spreads to the nervous system, it can lead to a devastating and even deadly neurodegenerative illness that seems years after an individual seems to recuperate from the acute an infection.
That’s clearly unhealthy sufficient, however a compounding downside is that measles is extraordinarily contagious. When you have measles and also you’re in a room with 10 unvaccinated individuals, you’ll most likely give it to 9 others. Evaluate that to the flu, the place you’d seemingly give it to solely two or three others. And since measles is airborne, you don’t even have to be in notably shut contact with somebody who has the illness to catch it. Public transportation and enormous occasions are alternatives for unfold when vaccination charges in a group are low.
Tips on how to forestall measles
The easiest way to forestall measles is by getting vaccinated. Measles vaccines are secure and efficient, and so they’ve been round for a very long time. For many years, the measles vaccine has been given together with vaccinations in opposition to mumps and rubella in what is usually termed the “MMR” vaccine. The primary measles vaccines grew to become obtainable within the Sixties, and so they’ve been given to a whole lot of tens of millions of individuals worldwide.
The MMR vaccine has a really lengthy historic precedent of being secure and is without doubt one of the handiest vaccines that we’ve. It’s given in two separate doses, and those that obtain two doses have higher than 95% safety in opposition to measles.
Even a really, very efficient vaccine doesn’t present 100% immunity. The extra measles there may be round, the extra seemingly it’s that an individual vaccinated would possibly contract the measles. That’s why it’s so necessary for all of us to play our half to guard ourselves and our communities: the extra vaccinated individuals, the much less measles can unfold for anybody.
It’s by no means too late to catch up and get vaccinated
The American Academy of Household Physicians recommends {that a} little one full their measles immunization between 4 and 6 years previous. However when you’ve by no means gotten vaccinated for measles or didn’t get each doses, the excellent news is which you can completely catch up at any time.
The MMR vaccine is broadly obtainable nationwide and is secure for adults in addition to youngsters. Some older adults could not want the complete two-dose vaccination in the event that they have been alive when measles was a typical childhood an infection. However regardless of your age, you may discuss to your physician to be taught extra about vaccines and to get your measles vaccine when you want one.
About Dr. Morris
Laura Morris, MD, MSPH, FAAFP, is a professor on the College of Missouri College of Medication and Chief Medical Officer at MU Well being Care. She can also be an AAFP Vaccine Science Fellow.