Measles Update

The current measles outbreak that has been linked to a California amusement park continues to make headlines across the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks data on affected states and case counts. I encourage you to not sleep to this point so you possibly can best educate your patients and answer their questions.

Before I get to the aim of this post—to debate the transmission, symptoms, and treatment of measles—I need to briefly discuss why we’re seeing this increase in cases. In 1998, a study was published that suggested a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. As a result, an increasing number of oldsters refused to provide their children the MMR vaccine. The researchers later retracted their study, and Current evidence states that there is no such thing as a link between vaccines and autism.

As nurses, now we have a responsibility to teach patients concerning the importance of vaccinations and the implications of the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Measles is incredibly contagious and may have serious complications, especially in certain high-risk groups. Stay up to this point on the present epidemic and vaccination recommendations.

What is measles?

Measles is an acute viral disease transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne transmission. After exposure (the incubation period could be seven to 21 days), a prodromal syndrome of high fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis is characteristic. Koplik’s spots (white or bluish-white spots on the buccal mucosa) may occur, followed by a characteristic maculopapular rash that typically spreads from the pinnacle to the trunk and lower extremities.

Complications of measles

• Otitis media
• Bronchopneumonia
• Inflammation of the larynx, trachea and bronchi
• Diarrhea

• Encephalitis
• Respiratory complications
• Neurological complications
• Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)

Who is prone to serious complications?

• Infants and kids under 5 years, adults over 20 years
• Pregnant women
• Patients with weakened immune systems

Information nurses must know

• Following the event of a rash, infected patients must be isolated in an airborne single-patient isolation room (AIIR) for 4 days.
• Measles is a notifiable disease and native health departments must be notified inside 24 hours of a suspected case of measles being identified.
• Routine childhood immunization with MMR vaccine begins with the primary dose at 12–15 months of age and the second dose at 4–6 years of age or a minimum of 28 days after the primary dose. (More vaccination schedules and knowledge, including contraindications to vaccination, could be found at Here.)

References:

Finerty, E. (2008). Did you say measles?

Skehan, J. & Muller, L. (2014). Vaccination: eliminating preventable diseases.

Wade, G. (2014). Nurses as key advocates for vaccination compliance.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (January 30, 2015).