Measles Cases Are Rising Again In Utah Here Are The Details You Should Know

Utah and Measles Cases

Measles cases dropped so low in the United States that in 2000 the CDC considered it eliminated. Recently cases of measles have been reported across the United States and in Utah.

Symptoms From Getting the Measles

Measles often starts out like a bad cold, but there are a few telltale signs to keep in mind:

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The first set are common and often assumed to be part of a cold or a regular sickness. Symptoms like:

A dry cough and runny nose.

Red watery eyes. Note if the eyes seem sensitive to light.

A Fever. This one can run as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit which is 40.6 degrees Celsius.
A key clue: About 2 to 3 days in, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. These are called Koplik spots, and they’re a classic sign of measles.

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Then comes the rash: Around day 3 to 5 after symptoms begin — or roughly two weeks after exposure — a rash usually appears. It starts on the face or neck and spreads downward to the chest, arms, and legs. The rash looks like large, flat patches mixed with small, raised bumps.

How to Prevent Measles

As Measles spread across the state many of us are wisely wondering how we can avoid contracting the sickness. There seems to be two strategies: avoid it or vaccinate against it. Because Measles can be spread 4 days before symptoms even appear the "avoid it" strategy is difficult at best.

What to do After You Contract Measles

Sadly, once you have measles you really just have to let it run its course. You should let your doctor know, but that is more for tracking purposes. They will tell you to rest, stay hydrated, monitor your breathing and stay home.