Last week, we started our conversation about measles. It was a disease that was on the verge of being wiped out completely in the US. Unfortunately, due to lower vaccination rates, it is coming back in a big way. My mother was, and at 85 still is, a big proponent of vaccines. Her sister was handicapped for life by a childhood polio infection, and when my mother was younger, she had seen kids who had life-long brain damage or even died from measles. She would have done anything to protect the four of us from what she had witnessed. Today, we are going to talk more about the possible complications from measles infection.
Who is at Risk for Complications from Measles?- Children under 5 years old
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems
- Adults over 20 years old
What Complications Can Measles Cause?
While many people recover fully, measles can lead to serious complications, especially in some groups.
Possible complications include:
- Ear infections – In about 10 percent of children
- Diarrhea – In less than 10 percent of patients
- Hospitalization – In about 20 percent of unvaccinated measles patients (all ages) in the US
- Pneumonia – About 5 percent of children with measles will get pneumonia. It is the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
- Severe dehydration – Requiring IV fluids
- Encephalitis (brain inflammation) – This can lead to seizures, permanent deafness, and lifelong brain damage (with intellectual and/or physical disabilities).
- Death – Anywhere from 1-3 out of every 1000 children who get measles will die from complications. That may not sound like many, but several of the current outbreaks are close to 1000 people, unfortunately, some children will die from measles.
- Pregnancy complications – Miscarriage, premature birth, or babies at term who are too small.
What About Long-Term Complications?
A very rare, but fatal long-term complication, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), can occur 7-10 years after a measles infection, when the person seemed to have recovered fully from the initial infection. It is a disease of the central nervous system, which is always fatal. The risk of developing SSPE appears to be higher for a person who has measles infection before they are 2 years old.
Why Is Measles Resurging?
The recent increase in measles cases is closely tied to declining vaccination rates. Factors include:
- Vaccine hesitancy
- Misinformation – There is a great deal of false information about vaccines online.
- Barriers to healthcare access
- Missed childhood vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic
When vaccination rates drop, communities lose “herd immunity,” allowing measles to spread rapidly.
How Can Measles Be Prevented?
The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and provides long-lasting protection.
- One dose provides about 93% protection.
- Two doses provide about 97% protection.
- Adults who are unsure of their vaccination status can have immunity checked with a simple blood test.
- If you are hesitant about vaccines or have read information that is concerning to you, please talk with your family doctor or pediatrician rather than just skipping vaccines. They can discuss the facts with you and provide you with the true risks and benefits of the measles vaccine.
The Bottom Line
Measles is preventable. Staying up to date on vaccination protects you, your family, and your community, especially infants and individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to chronic health conditions.
If you have any questions about measles, please log into your account and send us your question. We are here to help.
Dr. Anita Bennett MD – Health Tip Content Editor