This article discusses the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of measles.
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Who Gets the Measles?
Measles causes about 100,000 deaths worldwide every year.
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Measles is very rare in the United States thanks to widespread vaccinations.
Although public health officials had considered measles eliminated in the United States since 2000,outbreaks have increasedsince 2010.
In 2022, 121 cases of measles were reported in the United States in six jurisdictions.
Measles is most common in children.
Measles Symptoms: What Does Measles Look Like?
Measles Treatment: At Home Symptom Relief
There is no cure or antiviraltreatment for measles.
Children with severe cases are typically administered vitamin A by a healthcare provider.
At-home treatments can be used to manage symptoms and help prevent further complications.They include:
Measles is highly contagious.
Measles Complications
Anyone can get complications from measles.
SSPE usually develops seven to 10 years after a person has recovered from measles.
The disease may occur in those who develop measles before age 2.
Does the Measles Vaccine Prevent Measles?
Themeasles vaccineis considered the most important tool in preventing the disease.
Before 1963, when the United States measles vaccination program was licensed, 500,000 cases were reported annually.
However, actual cases were estimated at 3 million to 4 million a year.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles (rubeola) signs and symptoms.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles (rubeola) for healthcare providers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Transmission of measles.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Questions about measles.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Complications of measles.
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