What to know as measles spreads in Utah

Here's what you need to know, per state health officials and the CDC:

💉 Vaccines are 97% effective at preventing measles and are recommended for children and adults.

👬 Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, nine of 10 people nearby will be infected if they're not protected.

• It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Infected people are generally not contagious before symptoms appear, according to the American Medical Association.

🤒 Symptoms typically appear one to two weeks after contact with the virus. Look for:

• High fever, possibly exceeding 104°
• Cough and runny nose
• A rash beginning a few days after symptom onset
• Red, watery eyes

😵 Complications range from ear infections and diarrhea to pneumonia and brain swelling.

• Kids younger than 5 are the most at risk.

Worthy of your time: A feature this week in the New York Times describes the frightening symptoms suffered by a Texas family who contracted measles during outbreaks in March.

• Multiple children in the family were hospitalized.