Measles
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Measles? Me?
Are you protected against measles?
If you have never had the disease or a vaccination for it, then you are susceptible. Health officials at Rutgers estimate that up to 10% of our University student population is still not immune.
Why is this important?
Over the last few years in the United States, there have been at least six major outbreaks of rubeola (regular measles) or rubella (German measles) on college campuses and the numbers are rising. In the event of an epidemic here, health officials may have to vaccinate or remove from campus those students who cannot provide proof of immunization.
If you have ever had measles or rubella, or were born before 1957, then you are probably immune. Rutgers now requires that all students present proof of having received two immunizations with measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, separately or combined (MMR). One given after 15 months of age and one after 1980. Laboratory proof of immunity is also acceptable. If you require one or more immunizations, go to the health center nearest you. There is a charge for this service.
It is best that women students be vaccinated during a menstrual period to ensure that they are not pregnant. They should not plan to become pregnant within three months after immunization.
Measles is transmitted directly by coughing or sneezing, or indirectly by contact with the nasal or respiratory secretions of an infected person perhaps by way of clothing or objects that the person handled. The symptoms appear about ten days after exposure and include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. The symptoms usually last from one to two weeks, although complications (such as ear infections or pneumonia) may occur in some cases.
German measles (rubella) is spread in the same way as regular measles. Symptoms begin to appear two to three weeks after exposure to the rubella virus. German measles usually lasts only three days and is characterized by slight fever, rash and swollen glands in the neck. Since rubella is often a mild illness, you may not recall whether or not you had the disease as a child.
The most serious effects of these diseases occur in pregnant women. Measles can cause a woman to have a miscarriage or to give birth prematurely. German measles is even more dangerous. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella, there is an estimated 25% chance that she will have a miscarriage or that the baby will be born with serious physical defects. The last big rubella epidemic in the United States was in 1964. Because of that epidemic, about 25,000 children were born with serious problems such as heart defects, deafness, blindness or mental retardation.
Why take a chance?
To check your medical record, make an appointment with a practitioner at the health center nearest you.
As of fall, 1989 all university students are required to provide proof of immunity to measles and rubella; failure to provide this information may result in interruption of class registration for subsequent semesters. This policy became state law in the fall of 1990.