Measles is a viral infection that often causes fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a rash in both adults and children. In most cases, measles resolves on its own and those infected make a full recovery. In a small number of cases, measles infection can lead to severe complications including pneumonia, blindness, seizures, neurological disease, and death.

Why do outbreaks happen?

Measles is highly contagious. It spreads when an infected child or adult coughs or sneezes on other people or surfaces (where the virus can live for up to two hours). In early 2014 Measles was declared eradicated by the world health organisation in Australia. However, a few incidents of measles have popped up this year as a result of a higher number of unvaccinated people. When infected individuals come in contact with an unvaccinated person, there is a high likelihood of spreading the infection.

Is my child at risk of getting Measles?

Your child can get measles if 1) they have not been immunised against measles and 2) they are exposed to someone who is infected with the measles virus. The incubation period — the time from exposure to the onset of illness — is 8 to 12 days. Because an infected person can spread the virus 4 days before the rash appears, it is not always possible to know when exposure has occurred

How would I know if my child has measles?

Early signs of measles for both children and adults are similar to other viral respiratory illnesses: high fever, malaise (a feeling of discomfort), cough, runny nose, and red eyes. In some cases, there may also be white spots on the inside of the mouth. The rash of measles appears a few days later, beginning on the head and face and then spreading to the rest of the body. Measles is contagious until 4 days after the appearance of the rash.

If you suspect your child has symptoms of measles or has been exposed to a child known to have measles, give our clinic a call on 8727 0000 to find out your best next steps.

What should I do if there has been an incident of measles near me?

If your child has received 2 doses of the Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccine, they are very unlikely to get measles, even if they have been exposed to the virus. If your child has had 1 dose of the vaccine and you live in an area where there has been incidents of measles, they can get their second dose of MMR a minimum of 28 days after the first dose.

If your child is between 6 and 11 months old during an outbreak, your child can get the MMR vaccine to help protect them. However, they will still need 2 doses after one year of age to ensure full immunity.

If your child is less than 6 months old, they cannot get the MMR vaccine. Most mother’s have been immunised, which means the baby will have some protection from maternal antibodies. All family members of an infant less than six months should make sure their immunisations are up to date.

If your child is 12 months old or older, they can get the MMR vaccine now if they have not received it yet.

When should my child be vaccinated against measles, and is the vaccination safe?

Anyone who wants to protect themselves against measles can talk to their doctor about getting immunised. Measles immunisation is recommended for children aged 12 months and 18 months, for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and for anyone born during or since 1966 and has not had 2 doses of the measles vaccine.

The MMR vaccine has been proven safe and highly effective in the 55 years it has been given. Common side effects may include pain and/or swelling at the injection site, fever, and rash. The MMR vaccine does not cause autism. For more information about the safety of vaccines, go to https://beta.health.gov.au/services/measles-immunisation-service.

How can I get my child immunised at Medical for Everybody?

The doctors at Medical for Everybody agree that immunizing your child fully and on schedule is important for keeping your child healthy and preventing serious diseases and outbreaks. Our practice supports and follows the guidelines and schedule set out by the Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP)  for childhood vaccinations.

To get your child vaccinated, simply tell your child’s GP that you want to do so. They will be happy to discuss vaccination and answer your questions and concerns. If your child has not had all their vaccines, it is not too late to catch up. Your doctors at Medical for Everybody are willing to help 🙂