If I Get Measles Can I Ever Get It Again
Cardinal facts
- Measles is a very contagious viral illness.
- If you lot are vaccinated against measles, or if you have already had measles, you lot are likely to be immune to the disease.
- 9 out of x non-immune people volition catch measles if exposed to the virus.
- Measles causes fever, cough, ruddy optics and a cherry, blotchy rash.
- Measles can lead to serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
- Vaccination is the all-time way to preclude measles.
What is measles?
Measles is a very contagious viral affliction, all-time known for its feature red blotchy rash. Measles tin can be very serious. The complications that tin can come with measles can atomic number 82 to hospitalisation and even death.
Measles was very common in Australia earlier measles vaccination was added to the childhood immunisation schedule in 1971. Thanks to widespread vaccination, measles is now rare in Australia, merely sometimes outbreaks still occur when infected people enter from overseas.
This page focuses on advice for adults and children above 5 years of age. You can notice information most measles during pregnancy and in babies and younger children on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.
What are the symptoms of measles?
The symptoms of measles usually appear about x days after exposure to an infected person.
The most characteristic symptom of measles is a blotchy cherry-red rash, merely this is not usually the first symptom.
Measles normally starts as a influenza-like affliction lasting for betwixt 2 and 4 days with symptoms that include:
- fever
- tiredness
- astringent cough
- blood-red optics (conjunctivitis)
- runny nose
- white spots in the mouth (known as Koplik spots)
On days 3 to 7 of the affliction, the rash appears. It is usually red and blotchy, but non itchy.
A measles rash by and large starts at the caput and then spreads down to the rest of the trunk. It usually lasts 4 – 7 days.
Other symptoms may develop if the infection leads to complications, so if you have measles and new symptoms appear or the current symptoms worsen, speak to your doc.
Check YOUR SYMPTOMS — Utilise the rashes and skin issues Symptom Checker and discover out if yous need to seek medical assist.
What causes measles and how is it spread?
Measles is caused by a virus.
Measles is spread through contact with an infected person — for example, when they cough or sneeze nearby. It tin can also be spread if you lot come into contact with virus particles that remain in the air or on surfaces, even if the infected person has already left the surface area. Virus particles can stay in a room and infect others for up to 2 hours afterwards an infected person leaves it.
Measles is very contagious, and people are normally contagious from around 5 days earlier the rash appears to around 4 days after it has appeared.
Upwardly to nine in every 10 people who are not allowed to measles — including people who have never been sick with or vaccinated against measles — will catch it if they come up into contact with an infected person.
If you think y'all have measles, it is important to stay home from childcare, schoolhouse or piece of work to stop you from spreading the infection. Your physician will review your symptoms to determine if y'all have measles, and to recommend when you can go back to schoolhouse or work.
Measles is a notifiable illness. This means that the doctor who diagnoses measles needs to written report the instance to the local health regime, who can take steps to prevent or control an outbreak. Since measles is very contagious, this commonly involves a procedure called contact tracing. After speaking to the person with measles, contact tracers attempt to identify anyone who has had close contact with them recently.
People who are not immune to measles but who had close contact with an infected person can then be offered treatments — known equally postal service-exposure prophylaxis. In this way, they reduce their chance of getting ill with measles and standing to spread the virus.
Post-exposure prophylaxis for measles commonly involves vaccination, or for those unable to be vaccinated, a medicine containing antibodies confronting measles.
Who is at take a chance of measles?
Anyone of whatsoever age can catch measles if they are not immune. You lot are considered immune to measles if y'all have been sick with it in the past or if you accept had a course of measles vaccinations.
In Australia, people born before 1966 are more often than not considered to exist allowed since it is very likely that they caught measles in childhood.
People with weakened immune systems (for instance, those who are receiving chemotherapy) are more likely to catch measles if exposed, and to suffer from complications.
Measles and pregnancy
Catching measles during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or preterm labour.
Measles vaccinations are non recommended during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, see your doctor for a pre-conception health check. This usually includes making sure that y'all are immune to infections like measles.
When should I see my dr.?
You should speak to your doctor if you think that you or your kid has measles, to make sure y'all get an authentic diagnosis. Your doctor volition besides propose yous on how to best protect people in your household. Information technology is important for the local health authorities to know about cases of measles in the community so they can human activity chop-chop and control the spread.
Measles is very contagious, so it'due south important to call your medico earlier you lot program a visit to the clinic. Otherwise, you may infect others. Inquire your doc nearly the possibility of a home visit or telehealth appointment, such as a phone or video call.
See your doctor urgently if you are concerned, or if you accept astringent symptoms that include:
- trouble animate
- high fever
- neck stiffness
- severe drowsiness
- earache
- diarrhoea
These can be signs that you are developing complications from measles and may demand urgent medical treatment.
FIND A Health SERVICE — The Service Finder tin help you lot find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Utilize the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
How is measles diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose measles past asking you about your symptoms and looking at your rash. They may also ask if you've been in recent contact with anyone infected with measles, and about your vaccination history.
If your md thinks you have measles, they may refer you for a blood test, urine examination or a swab of your nose or pharynx. These tests can confirm the diagnosis.
How is measles treated?
There is no specific medicine or treatment available to care for measles. Antibiotics volition not assistance you recover from measles considering the affliction is caused past a virus, not bacteria.
Strategies to effort to salvage your symptoms at habitation include:
- getting plenty of rest
- drinking enough fluids
- taking paracetamol to salvage fever
If your symptoms are severe or you lot experience complications, you many need to be treated in hospital.
How can I preclude measles?
Vaccination is the all-time fashion to prevent measles.
A two-dose form of a measles vaccine is 99% effective at preventing infection past the virus that causes measles.
The measles vaccine is given as part of a combination vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (known as MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (known as MMR-Five). Both are very effective and accept like side effects. Your doctor tin advise which vaccine is right for y'all.
Children are offered 2 doses of measles vaccine for gratis, based on the National Immunisation Program Schedule at 12 and xviii months of age.
If you were built-in in or later 1966 and you haven't received vaccination confronting measles, speak to your doctor nigh getting vaccinated.
Vaccination against measles is strongly recommended for non-immune people who work in childcare, aged care or healthcare, as well as for travellers.
Measles vaccination is not recommended for pregnant women or people who accept a weakened immune system.
| At what historic period is vaccination recommended? | Children aged over 12 months: The vaccine is usually given at 12 and xviii months of age. Adults: Vaccination is recommended for those built-in in or since 1966 who have not already been vaccinated against measles. |
| How many doses? | 2 |
| How is the vaccine administered? | The vaccine is given by injection. |
| Is it free? | Measles vaccination is free for people under 20 years of age and for refugees of whatsoever historic period entering Australia on the National Immunisation Program. Your doctor may charge a consultation fee for your visit. You can find your nearest majority billing (no fee) GP dispensary using the healthdirect Service Finder tool. |
| Common side furnishings | Vaccination against measles is very prophylactic, but side furnishings tin occur. Mutual side effects include redness at the injection site, a rash or a fever. Side effects of measles vaccination usually occur about a week after receiving it. |
What complications tin can come with measles?
1 in 10 people who catch measles volition feel complications that tin cause life-long effects or, occasionally, expiry.
Complications include:
- ear infection
- lung infection (pneumonia)
- inflammation of the brain or the lining of the encephalon (meningitis or encephalitis)
Resources and support
For more than data about immunisation in Australia, visit the Department of Health Immunisation website.
Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/measles
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