I wish measles were a disease of the past. I have been a practicing physician for 19 years and I have never seen measles outside of a journal. But, I am on the lookout!
The CDC reports that the U.S. measles cases have reached their highest level in 20 years. Between 1/1/14 and 5/23/14 there were 288 confirmed measles cases across the country. Ohio recorded the largest number of measles cases at 138.
Best treatment? Prevention!
- Children get a MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine at ages 1 and 4.
- All adolescents who have not previously had 2 doses of MMR should get vaccinated.
- Adults
- if born in 1957 or later should have documentation of more than one dose of MMR unless they have a contraindication to the vaccine or laboratory evidence of immunity to each of the 3 diseases
- for those born before 1957, you can be considered immune to measles although immunity is not universal (and laboratory confirmation of immunity can always be done).
Want more information? www.cdc.gov is the best vaccine informational source.
