Can an Adult Get the Measles Again Even if They Had the Meases as a Child
Measles cases in the U.Southward. climbed to a 25-year high in Apr, according to the Centers for Disease Command and Prevention. The 704 confirmed cases of measles so far this year accept affected 22 states, including Florida. Although the viral infection was declared "eliminated" from the U.S. in 2000, this yr's rapid spread of measles has go a serious public health concern. Increasing numbers of travelers catch the viral infection abroad and bring it into the U.Southward., spreading information technology amongst pockets of people who are unvaccinated.
Symptoms and Risks
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease that spreads through coughing and sneezing. Early symptoms include a fever, cough, runny olfactory organ, scarlet eyes and a sore throat. As the infection progresses, tiny white spots may appear within the mouth and a cerise rash starts on the confront and works its way downwardly to the feet. The condition can progress apace.
As many equally 1 in 20 children with measles will get pneumonia, which is the major cause of death from measles. One in 1,000 children with measles volition develop encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which tin lead to encephalon damage. One or two children per 1,000 with measles will die from it. Finally, vii to 10 years after contracting measles, one person per 100,000 volition develop subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and inevitably die of this devastating encephalon inflammation.
Separating Measles Facts from Fiction
Thanks to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, measles is highly preventable. Vaccinations are a disquisitional tool for preventing the spread of measles, simply some Americans even so believe the vaccine is dangerous and the disease is not serious.
That's why it's of import to separate what'southward truth from fiction. Here are 10 myths about measles—and the real facts.
Myth # 1: Only children can get measles.
Fact: While adults accept a significantly lower risk of contracting measles, in some cases they should still be vaccinated. Outset off, most adults built-in before 1957 are considered immune due to having had or been exposed to the measles. But if you were born between 1957 and 1989, and have not had the measles or received 2 doses of the measles vaccine, you should become vaccinated. Why? People born betwixt 1957 and 1989 may only have had one dose of the measles vaccine and may have had 1 of the before, less effective vaccines.
In this case, especially if y'all are in an area where at that place are measles cases or are traveling to high-adventure areas, you should get a second dose of the MMR. The risk of complications from measles is higher in adults, so older adults who feel they may be at adventure should consult their physician.
Myth #2: Everyone should go the measles vaccine.
Fact: Not everyone should receive the MMR vaccine. Babies younger than half dozen months cannot exist vaccinated. People built-in before 1957 or who already have had the measles or the measles vaccine series do non need to be vaccinated. Furthermore, patients whose immune systems are not normal or who are on medications that suppress the immune system should non get live virus vaccines like the MMR. Instead, these patients depend upon others to be vaccinated to continue the diseases out of their communities.
Thanks to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, measles is highly preventable.
Myth #3: There are natural ways to foreclose measles, so I don't need the vaccine.
Fact: There are no natural preventive measures for measles. I can't stress this enough—vaccinations are the single most effective style to prevent yourself from contracting measles. Some patients are concerned about the MMR vaccine, but that'due south because it'southward hard to sift through all the conflicting data out at that place. The all-time affair patients can do is read almost vaccines on accurate sites such as the CDC website and talk to their doctor.
Myth #4: The measles vaccine causes autism.
Fact: This is absolutely not true. This idea may have emerged from the fact that the MMR is given around the first altogether, which is about the aforementioned time that the signs of autism go much more obvious and autism is diagnosed. Numerous large studies accept failed to bear witness any connection between the MMR vaccine and autism. This allegation has get "erstwhile news" and is merely untrue. For a expert recounting of the MMR-autism story, I recommend the book, The Panic Virus, by Seth Mnookin. Information technology is a great read and an authentic business relationship of what happened in the false medical science world to create this disinformation.
Myth #5: My child is merely a yr old, and that's also young to be vaccinated.
Fact: About children get their first measles vaccine when they are between 12 and 15 months old. With the current situation, we now recommend that these vaccinations begin at 12 months. If at that place's a local outbreak, nosotros fifty-fifty recommend that children as young as half-dozen months become vaccinated. The potential trouble with early immunization is that many babies still have plenty antibodies in their bodies from their mothers that the vaccine won't piece of work effectively. When nosotros vaccinate early in the case of an outbreak, we re-vaccinate at 12 months and once more at age 4 to make sure the child is protected.
Myth #6: You don't need to get a "booster" shot if you've already received the measles vaccine.
Fact: A "booster" shot isn't so much a "booster" as information technology is a fail-safe in case the beginning vaccine didn't work. We used to give a second shot of the measles vaccine when a child was between four to 6 years old. Currently, due to the outbreak, we do this at age 4. The kickoff dose immunizes about 93 percent of patients, and by the second dose we achieve immunity for more than 97 per centum of patients. Meaning, this 2nd dose protects most patients who for some reason didn't respond to their get-go vaccine.
Myth #7: You can get the measles multiple times, even if you've already had it.
Fact: Not truthful. Unlike the chicken pox, measles exercise non come up dorsum in one case your system is cleared of the virus.
Myth #8: Getting the vaccine ensures I won't get the measles.
Fact: Unfortunately, no vaccine is perfect. Later one dose of the MMR, 7 out of 100 children are yet not allowed. After two doses, nearly iii children in 100 still are not immune. This illustrates some other reason why we depend upon one another to vaccinate all of our children (and ourselves) so that the disease never has a adventure to spread inside the community.
Myth #nine: I'k at a higher risk of contracting measles if I visit a theme park in Orlando.
Fact: Correct now, the biggest take a chance of contracting measles is living in a community with a loftier charge per unit of unvaccinated people or traveling to an area of the world where measles rates are high due to depression vaccination rates. Measles outbreaks in the U.S. typically start with exposure from an "imported" case. In other words, an infected patient travels to the U.S. with a instance of the measles. Measles and then works like the "canary in a coal mine" model, traveling easily through the community past infecting literally anybody who is not allowed.
Since Orlando is a tourist destination for many international travelers from places with lower immunization rates, nosotros are at risk. But people who already accept had the measles vaccine series are personally at very low risk to contract the virus.
Myth # 10: Proper hand washing can prevent measles.
Fact: Skillful hand washing is very of import for preventing illness. Notwithstanding, measles is and then contagious that even tiny particles with live measles virus stay in the air after a contagious person has left a room. In medical situations, we close the room for at least several hours and sanitize surfaces to forbid the virus from spreading.
The best mode to forbid measles is to go vaccinated according to the immunization schedule recommended past the CDC. Remember, measles is a serious illness that could lead to serious complications. If you're concerned about the vaccine, talk to your doc, ask questions and get the correct information and then yous can make the best decision to protect your health, your family'due south health and that of everyone in our customs.
Source: https://www.arnoldpalmerhospital.com/content-hub/10-common-myths-about-measlesand-the-real-facts
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