02/17/2025
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Hello, Henderson Families.
We need to talk MEASLES.
It is extremely contagious--for every person who gets it, it is thought that 12-18 other, unvaccinated people will get it. And it is in Texas.
In Gaines county near Lubbock, two unvaccinated children tested positive for measles last week, and that number has since increased to 48, with 13 requiring hospitalization. All of these cases involve patients who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. There have also been cases in the Houston area. To date, Cook Children’s Healthcare System has not reported any cases, but we are bracing ourselves.
Measles is a disease caused by the measles virus, and 1 out of every 4 people who contract measles in the US will be hospitalized. Signs of measles typically appear 1-2 weeks after becoming infected, and the symptoms typically include fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, red eyes, tiredness, and eventually a head-to-toe rash. It is miserable. Measles can cause complications such as ear infections, croup, and pneumonia and, less commonly but more devastatingly, measles can lead to encephalitis (brain swelling), severe pneumonia, and even death. Even in those who recover from measles, progressive and debilitating brain complications such as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) can occur, even years later. This is one of the worse imaginable health conditions.
Thankfully, we have a tried and true vaccine for measles that provides long-lasting protection against this disease. The MMR vaccine is typically given to children at 12 months, with a booster at 4 years of age. If you think your child may be due for their MMR vaccine, please reach out to our office!
If you think your child might have measles, please call our office ahead of coming in. We will need to make preparations for your visit (and for your entry into our office) in order to prevent any potential spread.
More information on the measles: https://www.checkupnewsroom.com/measles-and-community-health/
