Measles is highly contagious, experts explain how to stay protected
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) — Measles cases are increasing nationwide and health officials in the Southern Tier are urging the public to take precautions.
According to local health officials, the highly contagious virus affects both children and adults. Health officials say it's typically spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Even if you don't have direct contact with someone who is sick, the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours, putting anyone nearby at risk.
Infectious Disease Specialist, Justin Nistico from Arnot Health said there are symptoms of measles to look out for.
'You start seeing the telltale symptoms of either a fever, cough, runny nose and maybe this typical rash, which is usually a whole-body rash, you may even just see it in spots on the face,' said Dr. Nistico.
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'Measles is very contagious, it's assumed that for every one person who has measles if they were to walk into a room with unvaccinated people, that for every one person who is sick with measles, they could infect nine to 10 individuals,' said Sarah Mattison, Chemung County Deputy Public Health Director.
Dr. Nistico said a rash is more common in children, and some may also experience muscle aches. He said measles can also lead to severe health complications, including brain swelling, and in some cases, even death, particularly in young children.
Health officials stressed that the best way to prevent measles is through vaccination. According to Mattison, the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella is given in a two-dose series and is highly effective.
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Dr. Nistico added children typically get the first dose around the age of one and there's a booster given at the age of four.
'Children who have been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine rarely ever develop infection with measles, children who also get the vaccine rarely have complications if they are infected with measles,' Nistico said. 'If you don't get vaccinated your risk of getting measles is quite high,' he said.
Mattison said anyone born before 1957 is presumed to already have natural immunity from having been exposed to measles during their own childhood.
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There has been some discussion about other ways to combat measles, according to Dr. Nistico, including the use of Vitamin A. While it may help malnourished children have better outcomes, Dr. Nistico emphasized that it is not a cure.
'There is a lot of discussion about using Vitamin A, the data behind use of Vitamin A is in children who're malnourished,' said Dr. Nistico. 'Taking Vitamin A tends to give them nourishment and vitamins and also at the same time helps them not have as serious an outcome with measles, but it's not to say it's going to treat or cure measles. A lot of other things that are tried out just don't have any data associated with them, so the most important one is really this MMR or the measles vaccine,' he said.
With measles cases on the rise across the nation, local health officials urged people to check their vaccination records and be aware of symptoms.
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