(gentle music)
- In the United States,
measles were declared eliminated in the year 2000.
Measles is still present in other countries
and there are outbreaks in the U.S. that happen every year.
The year 2019 has brought a particularly high number
of measles cases.
This video will review what measles are
and what patients with rheumatic diseases need to know.
(gentle music)
Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus.
It can have life-threatening complications.
The CDC calls it
the most deadly of all childhood rash fever illnesses.
Measles is a highly contagious virus
that lives in the nose and throat mucus
of an infected person.
It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing.
Also, the measles virus can live for up to two hours
in the airspace
where the infected person coughed or sneezed.
If other people breathe the contaminated air
or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, nose,
or mouths, they can become infected.
Measles is so contagious that if one person has it,
up to 90% of the people close to that person
who are not immune will become infected.
Infected people can spread measles to others
from four days before
through four days after the rash appears.
Measles is a disease of humans.
Measles is not spread by any other animal species.
(gentle music)
Diarrhea and ear infections, which may lead to hearing loss,
can happen as a result of measles.
Pneumonia and brain swelling
are other potential complications.
About one or two
of every 1,000 children with measles dies of it.
About 20% of adults who get measles
will also suffer with diarrhea, ear infections,
encephalitis, which is swelling in the brain,
pneumonia, and seizures.
The most common cause of death
in those with measles is pneumonia.
The risk of death from measles is higher for adults
and infants than it is for children.
(gentle music)
The symptoms of measles generally appear
about seven to 14 days after a person is infected.
Measles typically begins with a high fever, cough,
runny nose, and red, watery eyes or conjunctivitis.
Two or three days after the symptoms begin,
little white spots called Koplik's spots
may appear inside the mouth.
Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash breaks out.
It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face
at the hairline, and then, spread downward to the neck,
trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
Small raised bumps may also appear
on top of the flat red spots.
The spots may become joined together
as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
When the rash appears,
a person's fever may spike
up to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you think you have been exposed to measles
or may have measles,
contact your rheumatologist immediately.
(gentle music)
People with compromised immune systems,
like those with rheumatic diseases,
may be at higher risk than the general public.
The measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, MMR,
can prevent measles.
The CDC recommends that all children
and some adults get the MMR vaccine.
If you got two doses as a child, you're covered.
You don't need to worry about a booster shot.
If you weren't vaccinated, you may need it.
Generally, anyone 18 years of age or older
who was born after 1956
should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine
unless they can prove that they have either been vaccinated
or had all three diseases.
Pregnant women should not get vaccinated
until after they've had their baby.
Also, people who are allergic to the vaccine's ingredients
should not get the vaccine.
(gentle music)
If you are unsure of your status,
a blood test can be done to check if you have immunity
to the measles.
The recommendation is for one booster for adults
who have not had evidence of immunity.
(gentle music)
The MMR is a live vaccine and should only be given
after you have discussed this with your rheumatologist.
You and your doctor should consider
the medications you currently take, and then,
weigh the risks and benefits of getting the vaccine.
You may have to stop some of your current medications
to receive the vaccine.
Build up your immunity of the measles
before you can restart the medications.
Measles is a serious disease
that can lead to dangerous complications and even death.
If you do not know if you are immune to measles,
you should talk to your rheumatologist.
Contact your doctor immediately if you have been exposed
or think you may have been exposed to measles.
(gentle music)