Would you Know Measles if You Saw It?
A case of measles is a very rare diagnosis in the 21st century, but as MMR vaccination rates fall, the cases climb. Would you recognize the signs & symptoms?
Terry Brenneman, MD
Measles as an endemic disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000. But outbreaks have made headlines nearly every year since 2019 when the CDC reported 981 individual cases originating in 26 states-the largest number recorded since 1992.
As of February 20, according to the most recent data from the CDC, there have been 93 cases of measles documented in jurisdictions in 8 states. The reappearance is disheartening—and it makes some seasoned clinicians a little nervous because there are years worth of classes of medical school graduates who have never seen a case of the measles. Does that include you? Would you recognize it if it showed up in your office?
Can you put the following groups of signs and/or symptoms in the correct order of appearance in a classic case of the measles:
- Fever and malaise
- Facial rash
- Body rash
- Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa
- Coryza, conjunctivitis, and cough
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