PfISD: Student at Windermere Elementary School diagnosed with measles
Nov 14, 2024
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A student at Windermere Elementary School -- with the Pflugerville Independent School District -- was diagnosed with measles, a letter sent to parents and guardians from the PfISD Health Office said Thursday.
"Measles is a highly contagious -- but rare -- respiratory infection that is caused by a virus. It causes a total body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough and runny nose lasting 1 to 2 weeks," the letter said.
"It varies in each person how long it lasts. The most important thing they need to do, if you think you might have measles, is to stay home, because it is so contagious," said Austin Regional Clinic Associate Chief of Pediatrics Dr. Elizabeth Knapp.
Measles is spread when someone "sneezes or coughs," and can spread "virus droplets through the air and infect others," the district health office said.
Knapp said a vaccine makes all the difference for how parents should respond for their child.
"If your child was exposed and they are protected against their measles vaccine, then you really don't have much to worry about," Knapp said.
KXAN reached out to the district after we received a tip from [email protected].
The district said it is required to notify families on the campus, a spokesperson for PfISD told KXAN Thursday.
The district will continue monitoring student absences at the elementary school but does "not anticipate additional cases," the spokesperson said.
The first symptoms of measles as provided by the PfISD Health Office are listed below:
hacking cough
runny nose
high fever
water red eyes
koplik's spots; "small red spots with blue-white centers" that are inside the mouth
measles rash; typically has a "red or reddish brown blotchy appearance," and shows up "on the forehead, then spreads downward over the face, neck, and body, then down to the feet"
These symptoms can last for around two weeks. Additionally, "90% of people who haven't been vaccinated for measles will get it if they live in the same household as an infected person," the district health office said.
Children who are infected with the virus should "drink plenty of clear fluids," use a "cool mist vaporizer" and get "extra rest," the district said.
PfISD said children are good to return to school within seven to 10 days "after the fever and rash go away."