Readers React: Adults can get measles too, and it isn’t pretty

To the editor: As a practicing pediatrician for more than 50 years, I can vividly recall a time when we had no measles vaccine and when widespread outbreaks resulted in febrile convulsions, pneumonia, ear infections and a rare form of encephalitis. (“Measles outbreak spreading beyond Disneyland visitors,” Jan. 17)

While considered a highly contagious childhood disease, measles — which is formally known as rubeola and should not be confused with rubella, or German measles — tends to be even more severe in non-immune adults.

It is unfathomable to me why parents are willing to jeopardize their children’s health by failing to immunize against preventable infections.

Harold N. Bass, MD, Porter Ranch

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