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SALT LAKE CITY -- True or false? Measles and Pertussis have been eliminated because of vaccines and are no longer a threat. False. In truth, Pertussis also known as Whooping Cough and measles are actually on the rise.
Why and what can be done?
“Pertussis never went completely away,” said Dr. Dagmar ViTek Medical Director of Utah County Health Department. “Vaccines are available and have made a difference. There is a cycle and about every five years there is an outbreak. We are not in the middle of an outbreak now though each year the numbers have risen.”
So why are cases being reported?
A combined vaccine for Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis known as TDAP is available to prevent the diseases.
Related:
Gavin's Story: A mother's crusade against pertussis
Most new parents try to take every precaution with their newborns, staying away from anyone who may be sick and keeping everything clean. But what if you as the parent are carrying the very thing that could kill your infant?“The easiest prevention is childhood vaccinations,” explains ViTek. “The problem is young adults and adults not keeping up with vaccinations. Within five years the antibody protection goes down and young adults and adults are usually the age that don’t go to the doctor. The adults may then catch Pertussis and spread it to others by the cough, especially to the children they are around.”
ViTek said that children become quite ill from Pertussis and it is very dangerous for them. On the other hand adults usually are not very sick, so they may continue to go out in public which in turn spreads the highly contagious disease.
Measles is also staging a comeback.
With extensive vaccination and education on measles, the disease is rarely given much thought. But more cases of the dreaded disease are being reported.
“Worldwide in 33 countries,” ViTek says, ”Measles is being reported and the numbers are rising. That includes the United States and right here in Utah.”
Nine cases of measles have been confirmed in the state of Utah.
“The reason we only have had nine,” stated ViTek ,” is that 90% of the people are vaccinated.
Measles is caused by a virus and is a very infectious disease that can be particularly serious in infants and adults.
How can you catch it? The virus is found in nose and throat secretions. Direct contact with these secretions or exposure to the cough or sneeze of an infected person can spread the disease.
How long will it stick around? It usually lasts only one to two weeks, but it can cause such complications as pneumonia, ear infections and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
The symptoms of measles resemble a cold and appear about ten days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include a cough, fever of 101 degrees or greater, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The measles rash usually begins a few days later, around the ears and hairline, and spreads to cover the face, stomach and arms.
People who are infected with measles are contagious three to five days before the rash and at least four days after the rash appears.
How can you protect yourself from measles? According to the Utah CDC, protection methods are: 1. Ensure that children are vaccinated at appropriate ages. 2. People exposed to measles should check their immunization record or consult their physician or local health department to see if they need a protective vaccination. 3. People with measles should be separated from nonimmune people. This includes exclusion from public settings such as day care centers, schools or work.
Is the vaccine safe? Measles vaccine has an excellent record for safety, CDC reports indicate. However, people with severe allergies to eggs (that is, people who have experienced hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing or shock after eating eggs) or people with disorders that suppress the immune system should receive the vaccine only after they consult with a physician. Children with high fevers should have their vaccinations delayed until they have recovered. If women are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant in the next three months should postpone the vaccine.
What is the difference between measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella)? Measles is a serious disease and sometimes called "hard," "red," or "seven-day measles." Individuals infected with measles frequently suffer from ear infections and/or pneumonia. German measles is a mild, three-day infection that seldom leads to complications in children. However, rubella may cause birth deformities in babies born to mothers who are infected with the virus during pregnancy.
Where can I get more information? Good sources are your personal doctor; local health department, listed in your telephone directory and the Utah Department of Health Immunization Program (801-538-9450) or the Bureau of Epidemiology (801-538-6191).
Utah law requires that the following diseases be reported to a local health department or the state department of health by calling 1-888-EPI-UTAH (374-8824):
• anthrax • botulism • cholera • diphtheria • haemophilus influenzae (an invasive disease) • hepatitis A • measles • meningococcal disease • plague • poliomyelitis (paralytic) • rabies (human and animal) • rubella • severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) • smallpox • staphylococcus aureus with resistance (VRSA) or intermediate resistance (VISA) to vancomycin isolated from any site • syphilis (primary or secondary) • tuberculosis • tularemia • typhoid (cases and carriers) • viral hemorrhagic fever
For additional information on measles or other diseases, visit http://health.utah.gov/els/index.html.
Becky Robinette Wright is a freelance writer and photographer who lives in Virginia.
