The re-emergence of measles outbreaks in parts of the U.S and around the globe has raised concern, especially amongst parents with infants. Even though measles had been declared eradicated in the U.S decades ago, the disease has found its way back, mainly due to unvaccinated individuals and travels from abroad.
This upsurge is alarming, as the measles virus poses severe health risks, especially to babies who are yet to receive their vaccinations or those too young for the vaccine. The good news is, there are practical measures you can take to curb the chances of your child contracting measles.
What is Measles?
Measles (also termed rubeola) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. A distinguishing symptom is a full-body rash, beginning at the head and spreading downwards. Young children, more specifically those aged 5 and below, are susceptible to potential measles complications, including ear infections which may lead to irreversible hearing loss, diarrhea, bronchitis, pneumonia, and encephalitis (brain swelling) that can leave the child with an auditory or intellectual handicap.
Approximately 1 in 5 U.S residents who contract measles require hospitalization, and in some cases, the disease can lead to death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that the first dosage of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, which can be administered along with the varicella vaccine, to be given when a child is between 12 to 15 months. The second dosage should be received between the ages of 4 and 6 years.
Early Vaccination
In most cases, infants receive the MMR vaccine when they turn one. However, under certain circumstances like an active measles outbreak or if they're traveling internationally, the child could get the first dose of the MMR vaccine between the ages of 6 and 12 months. This information is provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics. If you're planning on overseas travel or live in an area currently faced with a measles outbreak, it is advisable to consult your practitioner.
They will most probably recommend that your child gets the initial dose of the vaccine once they turn 6 months. This is followed by subsequent doses. Should your child be one year or older and not yet fully vaccinated, they're usually recommended to receive the two dosages before leaving for an overseas trip, spaced four weeks apart at the minimum.
Identifying measles symptoms in babies
The first measles symptoms resemble those of a cold or the flu and manifest seven to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms included are runny nose, cough, high fever, and red, watery eyes. You may also notice very small white spots (Koplik spots) in your child's mouth two to three days after the initial symptoms. A rash will appear three to five days after the symptoms' onset.
After three to five days, a rash of small, flat, red spots surfaces at the hairline. The rash, which lasts about a week, spreads downwards to other parts of the body. Some areas might exhibit clusters of spots, and the child could periodically experience spikes of high fever.
Separating measles from roseola
Parents often confuse measles and roseola due to their alike symptoms, and their names do not help the matter. Different viruses cause these diseases, and roseola rarely causes complications in healthy children. Know that your baby might appear and feel extremely sick when the measles rash surfaces, while with roseola, children often feel better by the time the rash appears.
If you're uncertain about whether your child has roseola or measles, or if you're at all worried about your baby's symptoms, reach out to your child's pediatrician right away. The measles virus can spread like a common cold. When an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or talks, microscopic droplets laden with the virus are released into the air. These droplets eventually fall and contaminate nearby surfaces, previously breathed, or touched surfaces contaminated by a sick person.
What happens after a baby is exposed to measles?
If you suspect your child came into contact with the measles virus, promptly contact their pediatrician. If they're yet to show symptoms and not vaccinated, your doctor could recommend IV immunoglobulin, an antibody injection which when given timely enough can reduce the risk of infection and decrease the chances of complications.
The doctor might also advise giving your baby a dose of the MMR vaccine, which can minimize severity and period of symptoms, provided it's administered within 72 hours of contact with the virus. Regardless of when your baby was exposed to the virus, there will likely be a blood draw to test for measles. If results are positive, your practitioner will refer you to the local health department and suggest isolating the baby at home four days before and after the rash appears.
Dealing with measles in babies
There is no direct treatment for measles. Management of the disease in infants is mainly symptom-based. Doctors might suggest age-appropriate medications to manage fever and pain, saline nose drops to alleviate stuffiness, and saltwater rinse to ease soreness. Antibiotics could be prescribed to deal with any bacterial infections resulting from measles, such as an ear infection or pneumonia, no measles itself. A high dose of vitamin A may be recommended to reduce the severity of measles.
How to protect your newborn from measles
If coming into contact with unvaccinated individuals or visiting crowded places, especially during a breakout, can be avoided, you should stay clear. Additionally, consult with your child's pediatrician about your options if you are living in an outbreak area. Following the recommended vaccination schedule and ensuring your child is given the first and second MMR doses in due time can shield her from measles.
In conclusion, babies typically receive their first measles (MMR) vaccine dose between 12 and 15 months, followed by a second dose at age 4 to 6 years. However, if your baby lives in an area with an ongoing measles outbreak or will be traveling to a measles-infested region, they might qualify for an early dose between 6 and 12 months.