Read more about measles, its symptoms, and how measles vaccination can benefit everyone to stay protected from this contagious disease.
What is Measles?
Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly contagious airborne disease caused by a virus. It can easily spread through nasal and throat secretions or droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These virus-infected droplets can spread in the air as well as on non sanitised surfaces and can remain active for up to 2 hours.1
Being exposed to measles can potentially put you or others at risk of severe disease complications and even death, which is more common among children.
Measles symptoms usually begin 10–14 days after exposure to the virus. Early symptoms usually last 4–7 days. They include:
- running nose
- cough
- red and watery eyes
- small white spots inside the cheeks
A prominent rash is the most visible symptom. The rash usually begins about 7–18 days after exposure, which commonly appears on the face and upper neck. It spreads over about 3 days and eventually to the hands and feet. This lasts between 5–6 days before fading.
Most deaths from measles are from complications related to the disease. These complications include:
- blindness
- encephalitis (brain swelling and potentially brain damage)
- severe diarrhoea
- ear infections
- severe breathing problems
Pregnant women who catch measles during pregnancy are at high-risk of delivering prematurely, resulting in the baby being born with a low birth weight.
Complications are more common in children under 5 years and adults over age 30. They are more likely in children who are malnourished, vitamin A deficient, or with a weak immune system due to predisposed genetics or other diseases.2
Why is Measles Vaccination Important?
Prior to the pandemic, Australia had 284 registered measles cases.3 In 2023, state and territory health authorities reported over 26 cases followed by 1 case in Brisbane in March of 2024. Several venues were listed with specific time periods in order to inform people to practise caution and isolate in case of possible exposure especially if they are unvaccinated.
While most people can recover from measles, the problem is that it is still highly contagious and can still cause people, especially those who are immunocompromised, to fall seriously ill.
According to the World Health Organization, 3 in 1,000 children who contract measles will die.4 The virus infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Contracting the disease can also further weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections, leaving children, especially infants extremely vulnerable.
When everyone is vaccinated, it can prevent a measles outbreak as well as dramatically decrease the likelihood of any child or adult to potentially die from this contagious disease. The vaccine helps your body fight off the virus.
The benefits of measles vaccination can also lead to ‘herd immunity’, also known as ‘population immunity’. It is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a community is immunised either through vaccination or from a previous infection. This helps protect individuals who are unable to receive the measles vaccination such as infants or those with allergies or medical issues.
Those who have not been exposed to measles and those who are unvaccinated should get measles vaccination, most especially children. The measles vaccine (MMR vaccine) for adults and for children are safe, effective and inexpensive.
Get Vaccinated at Coolangatta Medical Centre:
Protect yourself from measles. At Coolangatta Medical Centre, we offer measles vaccination at your convenience in Coolangatta, QLD. The benefit of the measles or MMR vaccination is that it also covers several other diseases such as mumps and rubella.
Those who have not been exposed to measles, unvaccinated, or unsure of their vaccination status can benefit from receiving the measles vaccination unless they are pregnant, underaged, or have allergies particularly in gelatin and the antibiotic neomycin.
Other than this, it is important to consider the measles vaccine as part of your list of travel vaccinations if you and your loved ones are visiting other countries with measles cases. This will also help you stay safe from any serious health complications in the event of exposure.
Two doses of the vaccine help ensure immunity. The first dose is usually given at 9 months of age in countries where measles is common and 12–15 months in other countries.
Discuss with your doctor about measles vaccination and book your appointment at Coolangatta Medical Centre.
