Protecting Your Kids From The Measles

7 questions and answers to help you protect your kids from the measles!

Have you heard? There is currently a small up-rise of the measles and if you are a parent this is a huge concern for you! I don't know about you but when I heard the news, as a mom, this brought fear to my heart. The first question that came to me was how could this happen? After I got a grip of myself and came to my senses, the next question was a more serious one; How can I protect my kiddos from this? No worries, below you will find 7 top questions and answers to arm you with what you need to protect your children.

1. Should I Be Concerned About the Measles Outbreak?

The short answer to this is, Yes. It wasn't too long ago when the measles was known as a common childhood disease that claimed roughly 450 people's lives every year and of these people many were healthy children. The turning point was when a successful dose of the measles vaccine was invented and this number declined. The measles soon became known as a mild illness and the seriousness of the disease got snatched away from the lime light.

2. How are The Measles Spread?*

The measles virus spreads easily through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs and someone nearby inhales the infected droplets. It can also be transmitted by direct contact with fluids from the nose or mouth of an infected person. It is one of the most infectious agents known to man.

Most of the recent outbreaks in the US have started with an unvaccinated person from the US traveling to another country with measles outbreaks and bringing it back to the US. Measles is very contagious and the virus can live for up to two hours on surfaces infected patients have touched or in the air where they may have coughed or sneezed. As a result, anyone in an airport or crowded venue has a chance of coming into contact with measles.  

3. Should I Vaccinated My Child?

Most parents have this question and also wonder if the vaccine is safe? As a parent you are right to question the safety for your child. But, you can breath easy knowing that the answer to you question is yes. The vaccine is safe and you should vaccinate your kiddo. It's always good to remember that with every drug/vaccine there can be mild side effects and the risk of the measles vaccine causing extreme harm is minute in nature. The ultimate thing to remember is, it is 100% better to get the measles vaccine than to catch the measles infection. The benefits outweigh the risk here!

4. What Can the Infection Cause?

There is definitely no question about it, the measles infection is a serious disease that should not be taken lightly. In many cases in the past, the measles disease caused children to have pneumonia, encephalitis (infection of the brain), and even death.

5. How Do I Know if My Child Has the Measles?

The measles symptoms are very scary because they disguise themselves in the form of a cold. With the only difference being, the infected person can have a red or brownish blotchy rash after the appearance of the other symptoms b