What You Need to Know About the Measles

Illinois has reported it's first case of measles. This is what you need to know about the measles.

The Chicago Tribune reports that a Cook County individual over the age of 18 is infected with the measles. It's not thought for this to be linked to the multi-state spread of the measles linked to Disneyland.

Officials have released the possible locations where people may have been exposed to the disease.

Supermercado Guzman, 1611 N. Baldwin Road in Palatine, between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Jan. 12 and 13; the Northwest Community Hospital emergency room, 800 W. Central Road in Arlington Heights, from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 14 and from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 17; and at Vista Clinic, 1585 N. Rand Road in Palatine between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Jan. 16

I have heard about the measles before, but I wasn't sure exactly how the measles are spread, what happens when you have the measles or if I could even contract them. After a bit of research, here are the cold hard facts about measles from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

What are the measles?

Measles is a serious respiratory disease (in the lungs and breathing tubes) that causes a rash and fever. It is very contagious. In rare cases, it can be deadly.

What are the symptoms of the measles?

Measles starts with a fever that can get very high. Some of the other symptoms that may occur are:

• Cough, runny nose, and red eyes
• Rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spread to the rest of the body
• Diarrhea
• Ear infection

Measles spreads when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It is very contagious. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, up to 2 hours after that person is gone. And you can catch measles from an infected person even before they have a measles rash. Almost everyone who has not had the MMR shot will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus.

 How do you prevent the measles?

The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles-mumps-rubella shot (called the MMR shot). Doctors recommend that all children get the MMR shot.

 What if I am not vaccinated and may have been exposed to the measles?

Anyone who may have been exposed to the virus, has not had a measles vaccine and is showing symptoms including a fever of 101 degrees or higher, cough, runny nose and red eyes, should not go to their doctor's office or an emergency room. Rather, they should call their health care provider and the Cook County Department of Public Health at 847-818-4020, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health.