Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

Measles Alert

Who is at Risk for Measles?

Jul 11, 2008 Lynn Pritchett

While many people think viruses like the measles are a thing of the past, measles is most unfortunately very much here. America's measles alarm is sounding loudly!

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) report on May 1st, 2008, several states continue to be particularly hard hit: New York, Wisconsin, and Michigan. However, the highest number of cases are in Arizona.

Tucson: “Measles Central”

Over a dozen states across the USA still battle the measles this summer but Tucson, Arizona has the most cases of any city in the nation.

The outbreak in the Tucson area first appeared in the suburb of Oro Valley, at Northwest Medical Center, in the winter of 2008. The Pima County Health Department continues to inform the public through urgent press releases, and offering free vaccines to anyone who fits the CDC’s recommended vaccine description.

As the outbreak continues, the health department keeps vigil. In May, a state of emergency was officially declared in Pima County, making more state funds available to vaccines.

July marks six months since the first reported measles case in Pima County, Arizona, and new measles cases are still popping up. It appears the three Pima County Health Department Clinics offering free vaccines across the greater Tucson area won’t be stopping anytime soon.

Why Southern Arizona?

Some have theorized that the Tucson area measles outbreak is due to people’s refusal to vaccinate children, for fear of long-term side effects or religious reasons. It may be a contributing factor to its longevity and spread across Tucson, Arizona and throughout the United States.

The original exposure was typical of similar measles outbreaks in America. Most often, visitors from countries where measles vaccines are not as commonly used, unknowingly expose others. Such was the case in Tucson, with the arrival of an ill Swiss visitor in the winter of 2008. Disease transmission locations in Tucson have varied, including hospital emergency waiting rooms, at least one elementary school, and doctors' offices.

Measles: Know the Signs

General symptoms of measles can seem a lot like allergies, with red, watery eyes, coughing, and rash. However, with measles there is also a high fever and the rash develops in a pattern starting on the trunk, spreading to arms, legs, and face. An allergy rash is randomly located on the body without pattern.

For about every 1,000 who get the measles, two people die. Severe complications can include brain damage, hearing loss, pneumonia, and blindness. Secondary infections, especially ear infections are not uncommon.

Measles: Taking Care of a Sick Person

Without suspicion of complication or ear infection, there is no need to seek medical attention. Antibiotics don’t help, because measles is a virus.

However, medical attention and antibiotics may be needed for complications. When in doubt, keeping in touch with a knowledgeable medical professional is advisable because measles can kill.

Home care includes consuming fluids to prevent dehydration, soaking in warm water with Epsom salts, over the counter pain reliever for the aches and fever, and anti-itch lotions, like Calamine.

Measles: Prevention

Measles is highly contagious. Everyone is at risk, but particularly infants, the elderly, healthcare workers, educators, and childcare workers.

The only prevention is vaccination, which became widely available in America by 1963. Risks from the vaccine are minimal in comparison to the risks from the disease. Recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) include:

Ages 0 to 6 years: 1st dose of MMR vaccine at 12-15 months old, 2nd dose at 4 - 6 years old (or not before 28 days after the first dose.)
Age 7 to college students: 2 doses of MMR vaccine.
Adults over age 18 born in 1957 or later, at least one dose of MMR vaccine, unless they can show they had the vaccine or measles disease, or have a blood test showing measles immunity.

The copyright of the article Measles Alert in General Medicine is owned by Lynn Pritchett. Permission to republish Measles Alert in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Early stage: red spots w/ white ctr @ cheek/tongue

What do you think about this article?

Comments

Jul 13, 2008 7:07 PM

Vicki F. Chavis :

Timely and well-written, Lynn! As a mom of three I have always questioned the timing and safety of vaccines. I've lived in 3rd world countries for 8 years of my life and feel that we need to be reminded constantly about the validity of vaccinating. Great job on doing just that!
Vicki

1 Comment: