Yes, thats right, Measles(Rubeola) are back, Old fashioned 7 Day Measles. Do not confuse this with German Measles, also known as Rubella or Three Day Measles. The following is an exerpt from my CDC Advisory, which I subscribe to.
"A measles outbreak linked to an importation from Switzerland currently is ongoing in Arizona. The first case, with rash onset on February 12,2008, occurred in an adult visitor from Switzerland who was hospitalized with measles and pneumonia. This hospital admission prompted
verification of the measles immune status of approximately 1800 healthcare personnel and vaccination of those without evidence of immunity. Through March 31, 2008, nine confirmed cases have been reported to the Arizona
Department of Health Services, and there are two suspected cases (one in a Colorado resident) and hundreds of contacts under investigation. The nine case-patients range in age from 10 months to 50 years. All but one were infected in healthcare settings, one of the five adult case-patients is a healthcare worker, and all cases were unvaccinated at the time of exposure.
In January and February 2008, San Diego experienced an outbreak of 11 measles cases, with an additional case-patient who was exposed in San Diego but became ill in Hawaii. The index case was an unvaccinated child who had recently traveled to Switzerland, where a measles outbreak is ongoing."
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious disease which in itself, will make you miserable, but the side effects are downright dangerous. It is reported the 6-20% of those infected with Measles will also get an ear infection, diarrhea and even pneumonia. 1:1000 infected persons will develop an inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)and about 1:1000 will die.
Measles is an infectious viral disease that occurs most often in the late winter and spring. It begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). A rash starts on the face and upper neck, spreads down the back and trunk, then extends to the arms and hands, as well as the legs and feet. After about five days, the rash fades the same order it appeared.
Measles are spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets remain in the air for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the room. The infected person is contagious for four days before the rash appears until four days after it is seen.
Vaccines are available for those who are unprotected.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/faqs-dis-vac-risks.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/measles_rubeola/page2.htm#immune
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Comments: 17
Here's hoping, but a lot of parents are foregoing the MMR vaccine these days becau of the risk of autism.
You are safe if you had the vaccine, or the measles, since 1967.
Perhaps we are lucky.
J,
My kids were vaccinated too, and I have wondered for years if my son's ADD could be attributed to one of the vaccines, but I'll never know for sure. My daughter had no problems. As for not exposing your kids, how would you know until it was too late? People are contagious for 4 days before the rash appears, ane otherwise looks like a cold or the flu.
I know. I personally believe vaccines should be voluntary. Unfortunately, in this state, a kid cannot go to school without them . I franklly, am a big believer in natural immunities for childhood diseases. I'm 50, and had chickenpox, and both types of measles . I have never had mumps, and I hear they are coming back. However, if I were a parent in the '50's, when the polio vaccine became available, I would have been first in line. Polio was not something that would "just go away" on its own. It was a killer. In my career, I have taken care of some elderly folks who still combat late effects of that horrid disease some 50 years after the fact.
I did not know these facts. Thank you.
Charli,
I concur.