The measles outbreak in South Carolina continues to grow rapidly. On Tuesday, the state announced a cumulative total of 789 cases, making the outbreak larger than the one last year in West Texas.
Though the biggest measles outbreaks are currently in South Carolina, Texas, Arizona and Utah, the disease has spread almost everywhere in the US, from the San Francisco Bay area to Florida. With measles still infecting so many, you might be wondering about your own vaccination status and whether you're adequately protected from the potentially deadly disease.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is 93% effective. It is uncommon for a fully vaccinated person to develop measles, though South Carolina has seen at least 20 breakthrough cases.
To learn more about measles symptoms and whether you need to get vaccinated again, we spoke with doctors to get their expert insights.
What does measles look like in adults and children?
Measles is one of the world's most contagious viruses with a number of symptoms to look out for -- most notably a rash and fever, according to the CDC. The virus is spread through the air, and once infected, measles attacks your respiratory tract.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that there is no cure for measles, and measles just has to "run its course." However, the best protection from it is a measles vaccine, which is typically given to babies in the form of the MMR vaccine.
Measles typically manifests at first as a "very specific rash that starts from the face and spreads down your body," says Dr. Yoshua Quinones, board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan. Other common side symptoms to watch out for include "high fever, cough, runny nose and watery or red eyes."
Quinones adds, "Occasionally, you may see small white spots inside your mouth. These are named Koplik spots."
While measles can and will make anyone sick, the CDC reports that it is especially dangerous for children younger than 5. This is because children have undeveloped immune systems and are at a higher risk of illnesses, making them vulnerable -- especially if they haven't been vaccinated.
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