With outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease on the rise globally, it’s more important than ever to understand the illnesses we’re protecting against. In this latest entry of our 4T’s series, we’re spotlighting measles, a highly contagious virus that remains a serious public health concern, especially in communities with low vaccination uptake.
At Health Academy, we use the practical and easy-to-follow 4T’s Framework to break down each disease featured in the UK immunisation schedule:
🔹Type
🔹Transmission
🔹Threat
🔹Treatment & Prevention
Let’s take a closer look at measles through this lens.
The 4T’s of Measles
Measles may seem like a childhood illness from the past, but it still poses a very real threat today. 👉 Watch our video below to understand how quickly measles spreads and why prompt vaccination is essential for protection.
The 4T’s of Measles: Take Home Message
🔹Type: Measles is a viral infection caused by the measles virus (a member of the paramyxovirus family). It typically causes a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic red rash.
🔹Transmission: Measles spreads extremely easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. It’s so contagious that 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people who come into close contact with an infected individual will catch it.
🔹Threat: Measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and even death. Those most at risk include young children, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems. Outbreaks can occur quickly in communities where vaccination rates drop.
🔹Treatment & Prevention: There is no specific treatment for measles once infected, only supportive care to manage symptoms. Prevention through vaccination is the best protection. The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) is routinely offered in two doses to children in the UK in early childhood. High vaccine coverage is key to protecting individuals and communities through herd immunity.
Protect What Matters
Measles isn’t just a harmless childhood illness, it’s a dangerous virus with potentially severe outcomes. By staying informed and up to date on vaccinations, we all play a part in keeping ourselves and our communities safe in the prevention of measles outbreaks.
Want to sharpen your knowledge further? Enrol in one of our trusted Immunisation Courses to gain expert-led insights, practical updates, and the latest guidance in vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Whether you’re a seasoned health professional or just starting out, we’re here to support your learning journey.
MMR VaxPro & Priorix Short Course (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) – Elearning
This is part of the ‘Health Academy Short Course’ series and provides clinicians with specific information related to the MMR VaxPro & Priorix vaccines.
This course is suitable for all Registered Healthcare Professionals, including Nurses, Pharmacists and GPs that administer this vaccine in practice.
This course provides 1 hour of CPD
Missed Part 3 of the series? In the third instalment of our 4T’s blog series, we explored HPV (Human Papillomavirus), a common but often overlooked virus that can lead to serious health issues, including cervical and other cancers. Many people carry HPV without knowing it, making prevention through vaccination and screening especially important. 👉 Catch up and watch the full video on HPV here: The 4T’s of HPV.
