How worried should you be about the measles?
While measles often feels like a thing of the past thanks to widely available vaccines and a previously high rate of childhood vaccination, the disease isn’t completely gone. Recent measles outbreaks have appeared in more than 25 states, and according to the CDC, two-thirds of those becoming ill in recent outbreaks have been under the age of 20.
If you’ve recently read reports about measles outbreaks, including the recent announcement that a case of measles was diagnosed in Upstate South Carolina, you may be wondering just how serious the measles illness can be. How can it be prevented? If you received a childhood vaccination, are you protected for life or should you receive a new shot to be sure?
Infectious disease expert Pamela Bailey, DO, spoke with us on the recent outbreaks and what they mean for South Carolinians today and in the future.
Questions answered include:
- What symptoms of the measles should you watch out for?
- What should you do if you suspect you might have contracted the measles?
- How can you know if you’re immune to measles?
- Should you receive a new vaccination as an adult?
- What are titers and how do they show immunity to diseases?
- What are the potential complications of a measles infection?
- Is the measles a deadly disease?
- Is it true that having the measles can you make more likely to get other illnesses?
- How is the measles treated?
- Is the measles vaccine safe?
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