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. Many people have
no clue just how devastating the measles can be. 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 (Just how many, n.d.). Measles are spread through coughing and
sneezing and live on surfaces for two to four hours after the initial exposure. Its
also very common to for this infectious disease to lay dormant for up to two
weeks, making the spread virtually impossible to contain. If left untreated, the
complications can be fatal lead to pneumonia or even death.

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 (The Unvaccinated, n.d.).

Why should I vaccinate my

kid?
There is only one-way to cure/prevent this highly
infectious virus- get vaccinated! Get your child
vaccinated! There is a small window of time in
which the vaccine will be most effective.
Newborns are not advised to get the vaccine, but
after a couple of months, they will be ready for it. 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.

What are the symptoms of the measles?

The measles can present itself just like a common cold. A runny nose,
conjunctivitis (pink eye), sneezing, and a fever are all symptoms. However, if
there are little white bumps in the throat, this may be a sign that it is much
more serious than a common cold. These bumps indicate a more serious cause,
such as the measles (Measles, 2015).

Are there any negative consequences of the

MMR vaccine?
Just like any other vaccine, there are rare and few side effects a few side
effects, but theyre very rare. 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 (Measles, 2015).

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.