Do you have any idea what it’s like to have measles?
You likely don’t if you have been doing your research by listening to anti-vaccine influencers who push the idea that measles is just a rash…
Maybe you should instead be listening to people who provide care for people who have measles.
Or even better, to parents of children who get caught up in the ever-growing measles outbreaks.
This Is What It’s Like to Have Measles
Then, you would know that measles is much more than a rash. In fact, at best, measles is a life-threatening infection that typically causes:
a high fever, often up to 106 for five to seven days
cough (often lingers) and/or runny nose (coryza)
red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) with photophobia (dislike of bright light)
sore throat
irritability (makes child miserable)
decreased appetite
and a full-body rash that starts (after 3-5 days of fever) at the hairline/face and spreads down the rest of your body
Also know that these typical symptoms of measles last around 12 days.
Of course, if you develop any complications, then they last longer.
This Is What It Is Like to Have Measles Complications
What kind of complications?
Complications of measles can include:
ear infections
diarrhea
croup
pneumonia
seizures
myocarditis
Complications that can be life-threatening and cause those who have measles to die.
“By the time the doctor did come my measles infection had progressed further than anyone could have imagined. Whilst my brothers, both younger were recovering, my temperature continued to soar. The last thing I remember was devouring a chocolate heart ice cream whilst seated on an armchair propped up on pillows... Anyway, after the ice cream or in the middle of it, I collapsed. I had fallen into a coma. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. There I was lying on a trolley in a coma but I saw everything. The next thing I remember was being moved through a long hall into a dark room with two nurses and a surgeon looming over me sticking a needle into my lower spine. Still in a coma... My parents visited me every day for the next three weeks praying that I would come out of it but it was looking pretty dire. In fact the doctors were preparing to turn off my life support.”
Measles Encephalitis – Renee’s Story
What else?
Even after surviving measles, many have to live with the risk of immune amnesia and risk of dying later with SSPE.
What about treatments?
Treatments are mostly supportive and not a cure.
Even vitamin A, although used as a treatment for measles, is most useful for those with measles who are malnourished.
So, what’s the alternative?
The alternative is to get vaccinated and protected so that you and your children don’t get measles!
I had measles when I was 4 years old. It was the sickest I've been. It was both painful and nauseating. My parents were worried that I would die.