CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15/CDRT.iso/dp/0218/02183.txt

Text File | 1994-01-18 | 4.6 KB | 81 lines

$Unique_ID{BRK02183}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Measles--Not a Thing of the Past}
$Subject{Measles vaccinated disease children resurgence fever runny nose cough
conjunctivitis Koplik's spots mouth cheek rash pimples face body contagion
Respiratory complications otitis media encephalitis death middle ear infection
pregnancy premature labor spontaneous abortion low birth weight outbreaks
vaccinations schedules immunization vaccination monovalent polyvalent
measles-rubella measles-mumps-rubella MR MMR school}
$Volume{ }
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Measles--Not a Thing of the Past


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QUESTION:  I had heard that measles was a thing of the past, yet schools still
require that a child be vaccinated.  Does that mean that there is still
measles around?  How severe is the disease?  I don't think I have ever seen it
in the children my kids play with.  I know I could use a bit of education on
this, so please help.

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ANSWER:  It was thought that medical science had this once common childhood
disease whipped back in the 80's.  In 1983 a low of 1,497 cases was reported,
but then soared to over 17,000 cases in 1989.  This new resurgence has been of
great concern to all practicing physicians and public health officials.
     The initial stage of measle begins with a fever, runny nose, cough and
conjunctivitis.  About two to four days later Koplik's spots appear, inside
the mouth in the area of the cheek.  The spots resemble tiny grains of sand
surrounded by a reddish halo.  On the third to the seventh days, a red blotchy
rash appears on the skin, with small liquid filled "pimples" (papule) in the
middle.  The rash appears on the face first, then spreads to the rest of the
body.  The rash lasts four to seven days; then the fever begins to fall, the
rash fades, and the skin begins to flake.  The period of contagion begins
slightly before the initial stage and lasts until four days after the
appearance of the rash.  The incubation period is eight to 13 days.
     Measles is no mere harmless childhood illness, but has severe
repercussions.  Respiratory complications, otitis media (infection of the
middle ear), encephalitis, and even death can result from a measles infection.
Measles during pregnancy can result in premature labor, spontaneous abortion
and low birth weight.
     The new outbreaks of measles seem to take two forms.  The first occurs in
groups of unvaccinated preschool children, usually inner-city minority
populations, while the second strikes at previously vaccinated school-age
children and college students.  This has led to new recommendations for
vaccinations schedules which include a second immunization.
     Measles vaccine comes in two forms, alone (monovalent, for measles only)
or combined with vaccinations for other disease (polyvalent).  These take the
form of a measles-rubella (MR) combination and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR).
Use of MMR is preferred in most cases except in children from six to 11 months
of age, where the monovalent form is used.  These younger children are
vaccinated when the risks of catching the disease are high, as when the area
is the locale of an outbreak.  Over the years, the official recommendations
concerning the best schedule for scheduling measle vaccinations have been
changed and revised.  When the number of cases soared upward in 1989, the
Immunization Practices Advisory Committee of the Centers for Disease Control
recommended, for the first time, that a second dose of measles vaccine, a
booster shot if you will, be given to the children before entering school.
This recommendation is endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physicians
(AAFP).  However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) takes another,
slightly different point of view.  While recommending that the first dose be
administered at age 15 months, they recommend that the second dose be give
between the ages of 11 and 12 years, unless local Public Health officials
state otherwise.  The point is that all children must be immunized against
this severe disease, and that all recommendations now include a second
immunization.  Thank you for your question, which gives me the opportunity to
urge all parents to assure that their children are probably immunized.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.