The measles outbreak in the U.S. served as a rude awakening as it was the worst on record ever since the disease was declared “eradicated” in 2000. A KKCO 11News report says that as many as 288 cases were reported throughout the country at the start of 2014. Newborn children in Colorado are especially vulnerable, not only because babies aren’t allowed to have vaccines until they’re at least a year old but also because “high rates of travel to countries where measles hasn't been eliminated also brings the disease back to the U.S. when people aren't immunized.”
There is also the fact that Colorado has one of the lowest immunization rates in the country, as reported in the same article. Thankfully, federal and state health officials were able to quell the outbreak before it spread any further. However, parents can’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet now that summer has arrived as most children will be spending a lot of time at out-of-town trips, summer camps, and other outdoor activities—thereby resulting in potentially greater exposure to the measles virus. Should children exhibit the early symptoms of the disease, parents shouldn’t hesitate to seek a qualified medical professional, like a pediatrician in Westminster from Indian Crest Pediatrics.
Symptoms include a cough, a runny nose, and high fever, which are then followed by red or brown blotchy rashes on the skin. In addition, measles seems to have a more profound effect on kids compared to adults, owing to children’s relatively weaker immune systems. As such, children may develop other symptoms like light sensitivity and sore throat after contracting the highly contagious disease. Measles technically has no cure, but fortunately it goes away naturally—provided, of course, a child gets ample bed rest and takes the appropriate medications as prescribed.
Although hospitalization is rarely needed, pediatric measles cases should be treated very seriously to prevent a community-wide epidemic. As much as possible, infected children should stay indoors or within a child care center. However, the most preferable course of action is for parents to ensure their children receive the measles-mumps-rubella or MMR vaccine through a trusted Westminster pediatrician. This way, young kids stand a better chance of staying healthy and enjoying their summer vacation to the fullest.
(Source: Measles returning to U.S., KKCO 11News, May 30, 2014)
