Measles: The Red Light That Shouldn't Be Ignored

Remember the days when measles was just a childhood scare, a mild illness that everyone got over? Well, those days are long gone. Today, measles is making a comeback, and it's not just affecting children anymore. Adults are getting sick too, and in some cases, they're getting very sick.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It's so contagious that if you're not immune, you have a 90% chance of getting it if you're exposed. Symptoms include fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. In severe cases, measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death.

There's no specific treatment for measles, but it can be prevented with a vaccine. The measles vaccine is safe and effective, and it's recommended for all children and adults who haven't had the disease. If you're not sure if you've had measles, talk to your doctor. They can check your immunity and recommend getting the vaccine if you need it.

In recent years, there's been a resurgence of measles cases in the United States and other countries. This is due in part to the decline in vaccination rates. In 2019, only 92% of children in the United States had received the measles vaccine, which is below the 95% threshold needed to achieve herd immunity.

Herd immunity is when enough people in a population are immune to a disease that it can't spread easily. When vaccination rates fall below the herd immunity threshold, it becomes more likely for an outbreak to occur.

Measles is not just a childhood disease. Adults can get it too, and they're more likely to experience serious complications. Adults with measles are more likely to be hospitalized, and they have a higher risk of developing pneumonia, encephalitis, and death.

If you're an adult and you're not sure if you've had measles, talk to your doctor. They can check your immunity and recommend getting the vaccine if you need it.

The measles vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from this dangerous disease. If you haven't been vaccinated, talk to your doctor today. It's never too late to get vaccinated.

By getting vaccinated, you're not only protecting yourself, you're also protecting those around you, especially those who can't be vaccinated for medical reasons.

If you haven't been vaccinated against measles, please talk to your doctor today. It's the best way to protect yourself and others from this dangerous disease.