Measles: symptoms, spread & SSPE | Doctors Talk | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Some parents may have heard of measles outbreaks, but most have never seen measles. In contrast, many parents have heard concerns about the safety of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. As a result, they may consider delaying or refusing the MMR vaccine for their child. While concerns about the safety of this vaccine are unfounded, measles disease can be devastating.

Children with measles typically have a rash, congestion, cough and conjunctivitis (pink eye). Some children can develop severe and occasionally fatal pneumonia. In some cases, measles can infect the brain and cause encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Rarely, measles can cause subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a progressive neurological degeneration that ultimately leads to death.

In this video, Drs. Paul Offit and Katie Lockwood from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia talk about measles, its symptoms, side effects, and what worries them as doctors when a child contracts measles or rates of measles vaccination drop.

00:00 Introduction
00:42 Measles symptoms
01:22 Complications of measles (SSPE)
02:10 Measles vaccine
03:04 Why doctors worry about measles
03:32 How measles spreads
04:10 Measles & other infections following the COVID pandemic

For information about measles and vaccines, visit bit.ly/3FhpFxi.

Video created by and for the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (VEC at CHOP) is composed of scientists, physicians, mothers, and fathers devoted to the study and prevention of infectious diseases. The Center was launched in October 2000 to provide accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.

If you have any questions about your child’s health, please contact your child’s doctor. This video is intended only to provide general education and not intended to create a doctor-patient relationship between you and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). It is not medical advice or treatment, and CHOP is not responsible for any outcomes you or your child might experience from your use of this video. This video is provided “AS IS” with no warranties or representations. This video is copyright of CHOP. All rights reserved. ©2022 The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.