This Is How a Child Dies of Measles

Elizabeth Bruenig: “Within a few days, your son’s fever will spike as high as 105 degrees. The virus will break through his underdeveloped blood-brain barrier and begin attacking his brain matter directly, leading to primary measles encephalitis. The condition is rare among older children but more common in infants, who are also more likely to die from measles.”

“You will panic and call an ambulance when he slumps over unconscious on the floor, and another swarm of doctors and nurses will descend upon your child and whisk him away deep into the building while you trail behind as closely as you can. Like your daughter, your son will need supportive care, but he will also need close monitoring of the pressure inside his skull.”