Comment Re: Duh (Score 4, Insightful) 462
Measles prognosis:
There are many complications associated with measles. Some of the complications are very serious and occur most frequently in babies or adults who contract the disease. These include ear infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia. However, the most serious complication associated with measles is encephalitis, an infection of the brain. Encephalitis can lead to convulsions, hearing loss, and mental retardation, and affects approximately 1 of every 1,000 children infected with measles. Despite advances in medicine, measles can still occasionally be fatal because of these complications.
How is measles treated?
There is no treatment for measles. Once a person is infected, the virus must run its course (usually 10 to 14 days). Bed rest, acetaminophen, and other medications are often recommended or given to help treat symptoms.
TLDR: Measles is rarely fatal but there may be severe complications in 1 in 1,000. Otherwise it is two weeks of hell that they have no treatment for.
Word to the wise, if I had a kid who couldn't get the vaccine for some reason and they caught this from your kid. I would not be a happy camper.