Resources for TV Writers and Producers
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More Information
- CDC Measles Page
- Measles: National Institute of Health / National Library of Medicine/MEDLINE-PLUS
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Are you a writer or producer working on a
current TV or film project? Measles
What's the Problem?
Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus. Initial symptoms include a runny nose, cough, fever, and fatigue. After about 3 days, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash lasts about 3 more days.
Measles is a highly contagious disease. Most people who develop measles have been exposed to the virus about 10 to 12 days before exhibiting any symptoms. It is spread by coming into contact with the saliva of an infected person through coughing, kissing, or sharing eating utensils or a toothbrush. Outbreaks of measles are most common in the late winter and early spring.
Who's at Risk?
All children and any adult who did not have measles as a child or who did not receive measles vaccine are at risk. Most children will become very sick with the disease but recover quickly, with no ill effects. Occasionally, measles can lead to pneumonia or inflammation of the brain and permanent disability and death.
Can It Be Prevented?
The best ways of preventing the disease is through immunization with the measles vaccine. This vaccine is administered as part of the combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and is typically given to all infants when they are 15 months old. All unimmunized children and adults are at risk for the disease and should receive the measles vaccine. Having the disease or receiving the vaccine provides lifetime immunity from measles.
The Bottom Line
Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease. This disease can be prevented by immunization with the measles vaccine. Typically, children are vaccinated at 12 to 15 months and then again at 4 to 6 years or 11 to 12 years of age. Adults who have not had measles and who have not been vaccinated are at risk for the disease. Serious complications, such as pneumonia or encephalitis, can result from infection with the measles virus.
Case Example
Moira and her husband Allan are vegetarians committed to having a healthy lifestyle. When Moira had her baby, Ariel, she delivered using natural childbirth - she did not want to receive any drugs. When Ariel was 1 year old, Moira decided against the MMR vaccine. She had read about a possible link between the vaccine and the development of autism. Thinking that she could nurse Ariel through a six-day viral infection, she felt that this was the safest alternative for her child. When she was 2 years old, Ariel came down with measles. Ariel's fever did not go down after a couple of days and she was having trouble breathing. Frightened, Moira called her doctor, who advised her to get Ariel to an emergency room as soon as possible. When Ariel is admitted, the doctor diagnosed her with pneumonia as a complication of measles. The doctor explained that had Moira hesitated in bringing her daughter to the hospital, she could have developed brain damage or even died. Ariel recovers and is discharged from the hospital several days later.
Page last modified on July 23, 2003