With New Measles Outbreaks Happening Across the U.S., Here’s How to Keep Your Family Safe

By: Miranda Torres; Marisa Paola Orbea, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist, Holtz Children’s Hospital; and Lisa Gwynn, MD, pediatrician, Holtz Children’s Hospital

As of February 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 14 measles cases across five U.S. states: Alaska, Georgia, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas.

While there aren’t confirmed cases in Florida, it’s crucial for Miami-Dade County parents to pay close attention, so they can keep their kids safe if they’re exposed to the measles. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What’s measles, and what risks does it pose to children?

Measles is a viral infection that’s very contagious and can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old. Even in healthy kids, measles can be dangerous and cause hospitalization.

2. How does measles spread?

Measles spreads through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. It can be transmitted up to four days before a rash appears or four days after. Measles symptoms generally begin eight to 14 days after a person is exposed to the virus, with a range of seven to 21 days.

Your child can get measles just by being in a room where an infected person has been, even up to two hours after that person has left.

3. What’re common measles symptoms and what warning signs should parents look out for?

Some common measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and rash (three to five days after symptoms begin). Warning signs include a fever that doesn’t go away, fever that goes away for 48 hours and then comes back, difficulty breathing, weakness, and decreased urination. Your child may also experience respiratory issues, pink eye, and/or Koplik spots (tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth).

4. How can parents protect their child against the measles?

Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides the best protection against measles (the first dose at 12 through 15 months old, the second dose at 4 through 6 years old). If your child isn’t eligible for the vaccine yet, prevent infection by avoiding exposure with anyone known or suspected to have measles. Can a child who’s vaccinated still get the virus?

If your child is vaccinated against the measles, it’s unlikely they’ll get infected with the virus. The measles vaccine has led to a more than 99 percent reduction in cases compared with the pre-vaccine era.

5. What’re the treatment options for the measles?

There’s no specific antiviral therapy for measles. If a child isn’t vaccinated and exposed to measles, parents should discuss it with their doctor. In most cases, measles in a healthy child can be treated with over-the-counter medicine.

6. What should parents do if their child was exposed to measles are is showing symptoms?

If you suspect your child may have been exposed to measles or is showing symptoms, reach out to their pediatrician immediately. Anyone who has a confirmed case of the measles or is showing symptoms should stay home until they speak to their doctor about next steps.