CONWAY, S.C. - With an ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina ahead of Thanksgiving, travelers may be wondering how to enjoy the holiday but do it safely.

“Keep in mind, measles is highly contagious,” said Conway Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paul Richardson.

Richardson said the symptoms mimic those of any viral infection, with the addition of a rash. In most cases, he said, it is not life-threatening.

“The good news is that for a vast majority of patients, it’s a self-limiting illness,” Richardson says. “The bad news is, though, for those small cases who do contract it, it can lead to serious complications, including respiratory failure and things of that nature.”

To prevent the spread from getting worse during holiday travel, Richardson recommends what he calls “common

See Full Page