Measles, Mumps, & Rubella

Oh My!
What are the measles and why should I make sure that my child gets the MMR
vaccine?
By Makayla Coggins from Parents Magazine

What are the measles?

Many parents are unaware just how serious the measles are. Also known as
Rubeola, the measles are more contagious than polio, influenza, AIDS, and even
Ebola! It is said that one person with the measles virus can effect anywhere
from 12 to 18 people alone. Measles are spread through coughing and sneezing
and live on surfaces for two to four hours after the initial exposure. If left
untreated, the complications can be fatal.

What is the likelihood of my child getting the

measles?
From 2001 to 2010 there was barely a year when the number of measles cases
exceeded 100. In 2013 there were less than 200 cases of measles. However, in
2014 there were over 600 reported cases! So far, in 2015, there have already
been 176 confirmed cases of Rubeola. This is such a highly infectious disease
that one measles patient can infect 11 to 18 other people! It is also said that, if
in contact with an infected person, 90% of
unvaccinated people will acquire the virus. With
all this being said, if your child in unvaccinated
and they come in contact with this highly
infectious virus, the chances are that they will get
sick and the results can be fatal.

Why should I vaccinate my

kid?

There is only one-way to cure/prevent this highly infectious virus- get

vaccinated! The vaccination is called the MMR vaccine and it protects against
measles, mumps, and rubella. It is true that the US had nearly eliminated this
disease just by vaccinating children at a young age. All of the unvaccinated
people fell under a term called herd immunity (which means the immunized
population was protecting the unimmunized population). But, as more and more
people chose not to get vaccinated, this disease found its window back into our
society. We are in the midst of a measles outbreak right now.

Are there any negative consequences of the

MMR vaccine?
Just like any other vaccine, there are rare and few side effects. The chance of
your child getting a rash, a fever, or having pain at the injection site is low. One
serious side effect is an allergic reaction to the vaccination itself, but this is an
extremely rare occurrence. The stigma that resides with the belief that the MMR
vaccine causes Autism, is a false one. There have been many tests done by
scientists who have come to the conclusion that there is no link between Autism
and the receiving of this important vaccine.

My hope

is that after reading this article, as a parent, you are more

comfortable in making the decision to vaccinate your child(ren). The measles
have found their way back into our society and it is up to you to help eradicate
it. The MMR vaccine is a virtually harmless solution that could save your childs
life and the others around him.