Measles Epidemic

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:50 am

I saw a news report stating that the number of people getting measles is on the increase ... here's a report I found too... http://health.usnews.com/articles/healt ... -news.html

It would appear that all cases (bar 1 if I remember correctly) are in un-vaccinated adults and children. They also stated that it is so highly contagious that, if an un-vaccinated person, were in a room with someone who has measles they have a 99% chance of catching it.

My question is ... is measles really that bad? I thought, like many illnesses, it is only life-threatening if left untreated.

Anyway if you were one of those who chose not to have/give the MMR its worth knowing the symptoms and the fact that it appears on the increase in the USA.

Is there an epidemic any where else? I think the report said UK was high as many chose not to give the MMR?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat May 03, 2008 11:32 am

There are two types of measles, and yes it is that dangerous. I remember as a child, the little boy across the street died from the measles. :-1

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Sat May 03, 2008 11:41 am

chonsigirl;855735 wrote: There are two types of measles, and yes it is that dangerous. I remember as a child, the little boy across the street died from the measles. :-1

Thats very sad

Even more reason for those un-vaccinated to be aware of its increase. I will try to find the figures again ... I remember 1 case in PA and 24 NY.

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Sat May 03, 2008 11:48 am

I just noticed the link above also has a link to affected states.

The virus that causes measles spreads easily and rapidly through the air from coughing and sneezing. Symptoms are cold-like, followed by a red, blotchy rash that first appears at the hairline and then proceeds down the trunk to the arms and legs.

from .....

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=746239

Victoria · Post by **Victoria** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:49 pm

I had measles as a child. Myself and my two brothers caught it at the same time and I can still remember being so ill I could hardly walk. None of us could eat properly and my mother was at her wits end just trying to nurse us all.

My younger son has allergies and I was advised against giving him the MMR at the normal age because of the way its produced, so we waited an extra year and then gave him the MMR. He had no ill effects from it.

Media hype has caused many parents to decline the chance to vaccinate their children out of fear of side effects and there are some who believe that illness such as measles and whooping cough are no longer a threat.

BTW its TB thats on a major increase here, again due to non immunized people ( wrongly believing TB has been eradicated )and immigrantes who carry TB from countries that still do not vaccinate.

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:15 pm

Victoria;855832 wrote: I had measles as a child. Myself and my two brothers caught it at the same time and I can still remember being so ill I could hardly walk. None of us could eat properly and my mother was at her wits end just trying to nurse us all.

My younger son has allergies and I was advised against giving him the MMR at the normal age because of the way its produced, so we waited an extra year and then gave him the MMR. He had no ill effects from it.

Media hype has caused many parents to decline the chance to vaccinate their children out of fear of side effects and there are some who believe that illness such as measles and whooping cough are no longer a threat.

BTW its TB thats on a major increase here, again due to non immunized people ( wrongly believing TB has been eradicated )and immigrantes who carry TB from countries that still do not vaccinate.

I didn't realise that measles could be so bad. I am glad now that I decided to give both my children the MMR, and TB also. They had all the shots required in the UK, but when we came to the USA they had to have a load more ... I can't remember them all without pulling their shot records. Although I did fight them on the chicken pox shot, oh the arguments I had on that one :-5 No NO NO my children have had chicken pox and its not happening. Why vaccinate against chicken pox ... its beyond me !!

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:31 pm

fuzzy butt;855851 wrote: My boy hasn't had the chicken pox and was vaccintated a couple of days ago at school. they only give to those who havent had the illness becuase it's worse when it turns to shingles if you catch it as an adult

And that I agree on, but these vacs over here are given in the hope of preventing childhood CP. The shots against CP don't last either.