21 August 2018 Blog Post: Measles Case in Santa Monica
I received an email alert this morning that details Los Angeles County Department of Public Health investigation of a confirmed case of measles in the Santa Monica area August 8, 9, 10.
When discussing measles with patients, I refer to measles as “the most infectious of infectious diseases.” As the CDC explains more fully:
“It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Also, measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.”
The symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected and start with fever (up to 105 F), feeling unwell, cough, and redness in the eyes. Two to four days later, a rash develops around the hairline or ears and spreads downward to the face, trunk, and extremities.
For our patients who have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with measles, please do call us immediately at (310) 828-4411 to make an appointment. Special arrangements will made to evaluate you without putting other patients at risk.
If you are unsure about your vaccination status, we suggest that you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity. If you do not have written documentation of measles immunity, you should get vaccinated with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Another option is to have our office test your blood to determine whether you’re immune (This option is likely to cost more). There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles (or mumps or rubella).
𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗨𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿
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