by | Mar 13, 2024 | Family Health
How Do You Catch Measles?
Measles is spread through direct contact with an infected person or through airborne droplets. Here are common methods of transmission:
- Sharing utensils or beverages
- Intimate interactions like kissing
- Physical greetings, including handshakes or hugs
- Contact with contaminated surfaces, followed by touching one’s face
Additionally, pregnant women can transmit measles to their unborn child, during birth, or while breastfeeding.
What is Measles?
Measles is an incredibly infectious virus that affects the respiratory system and spreads easily either by close contact with someone who’s infected or by coming into contact with the tiny droplets they release when they cough or sneeze. The virus tends to hang out on surfaces for a couple of hours, waiting to be picked up.
Common Symptoms of Measles
- A serious spike in temperature
- Feeling wiped out
- A cough that’s more like a bark
- Eyes looking red and irritated
- A nose that just won’t quit running
Measles can also bring along:
- A sore throat
- Tiny white spots popping up inside the mouth
- Achy muscles
- A dislike for bright lights
A few days into these symptoms, you’ll see the telltale sign of measles: a red, splotchy rash that starts with the face and ears and then invites itself all over the body. This rash sticks around for a week or so before it decides to leave the party.
Do I Have Measles?
Measles progresses through stages over a 2 to 3-week period. Individuals infected with measles become contagious starting 4 days before the rash appears until about 4 days after.
Incubation Phase
During the initial 10 to 14 days post-infection, which can extend up to 21 days, the virus is active inside the body, but there are no visible symptoms.
Early Symptoms
The earliest indication of measles is usually a moderate fever, accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (inflamed eyes), and a sore throat. These symptoms can persist for 2 to 3 days.
Acute Symptoms
The signature measles rash begins as small red spots, primarily on the face and behind the ears. These spots cluster together, creating a blotchy red appearance. Over the following days, the rash spreads to the torso and limbs, while the fever may surge to high levels, ranging from 104 to 105.8 F (40 to 41 C).
Recovery Phase
The rash typically lasts up to seven days, fading first from the upper body and then the lower limbs. Post-rash, a cough, and changes in skin pigmentation, such as darkening or peeling, may linger for about 10 days.
Hospitalization is a reality for 1 in 5 unvaccinated individuals who contract measles in the U.S.
How Can I Prevent Measles?
- Get Vaccinated: The best defense against measles is getting vaccinated. Make sure your child receives their measles vaccine according to the recommended schedule. Typically, the first dose is given between 12 and 15 months of age, with a second dose between 4 and 6 years old. If you’re unsure about your vaccination status or your child’s, talk to your healthcare provider.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash those hands regularly with soap and water, especially after being in public spaces or around sick individuals. Encourage your kids to do the same, and make it a fun habit by singing their favorite song while they scrub
- Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes: Teach your children to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, rather than their hands, to prevent spreading germs. And of course, dispose of those tissues properly afterward!
- Avoid Close Contact: If you or your child is feeling under the weather, it’s best to stay home and avoid close contact with others, especially those who are at high risk of complications from measles, like infants, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
- Boost Your Immune System: A healthy immune system is your body’s first line of defense against measles. Make sure you and your family eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, get plenty of sleep, and stay physically active to keep your immune system strong.
If you or your child may be showing the signs of contracting measles, pre-register at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia today, or walk into our office any day of the week, no appointment needed.
