If Youve Had the Measles Can You Get Them Again
Key facts
- Measles is a very contagious viral illness.
- If y'all are vaccinated against measles, or if y'all have already had measles, y'all are likely to exist immune to the affliction.
- 9 out of 10 non-allowed people will take hold of measles if exposed to the virus.
- Measles causes fever, cough, red eyes and a carmine, blotchy rash.
- Measles can lead to serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
- Vaccination is the best mode to preclude measles.
What is measles?
Measles is a very contagious viral disease, best known for its characteristic red blotchy rash. Measles can be very serious. The complications that can come with measles can atomic number 82 to hospitalisation and fifty-fifty death.
Measles was very common in Australia before measles vaccination was added to the childhood immunisation schedule in 1971. Thank you to widespread vaccination, measles is at present rare in Commonwealth of australia, but sometimes outbreaks still occur when infected people enter from overseas.
This page focuses on communication for adults and children higher up five years of historic period. You lot tin find information about measles during pregnancy and in babies and younger children on the Pregnancy, Nascency and Babe website.
What are the symptoms of measles?
The symptoms of measles ordinarily appear virtually 10 days afterward exposure to an infected person.
The most characteristic symptom of measles is a blotchy scarlet rash, simply this is not commonly the first symptom.
Measles commonly starts as a flu-like illness lasting for between ii and 4 days with symptoms that include:
- fever
- tiredness
- severe cough
- ruby-red eyes (conjunctivitis)
- runny nose
- white spots in the mouth (known as Koplik spots)
On days 3 to 7 of the disease, the rash appears. It is normally red and blotchy, but non itchy.
A measles rash generally starts at the head and then spreads down to the rest of the body. Information technology unremarkably lasts iv – 7 days.
Other symptoms may develop if the infection leads to complications, and so if you have measles and new symptoms appear or the current symptoms worsen, speak to your physician.
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What causes measles and how is it spread?
Measles is caused by a virus.
Measles is spread through contact with an infected person — for instance, when they coughing or sneeze nearby. Information technology can as well be spread if y'all come into contact with virus particles that remain in the air or on surfaces, even if the infected person has already left the area. Virus particles tin can stay in a room and infect others for upwards to 2 hours afterwards an infected person leaves it.
Measles is very contagious, and people are usually contagious from effectually 5 days before the rash appears to around 4 days later on it has appeared.
Upwards to 9 in every 10 people who are not immune to measles — including people who have never been ill with or vaccinated against measles — will catch it if they come into contact with an infected person.
If y'all call back you have measles, it is important to stay habitation from childcare, school or work to stop you from spreading the infection. Your doctor will review your symptoms to determine if you have measles, and to recommend when you can go back to schoolhouse or piece of work.
Measles is a notifiable disease. This means that the md who diagnoses measles needs to report the case to the local health authorities, who tin take steps to forbid or control an outbreak. Since measles is very contagious, this usually involves a process chosen contact tracing. Afterward speaking to the person with measles, contact tracers endeavour to place 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 tin then be offered treatments — known as post-exposure prophylaxis. In this fashion, they reduce their take chances of getting sick with measles and continuing to spread the virus.
Post-exposure prophylaxis for measles normally involves vaccination, or for those unable to be vaccinated, a medicine containing antibodies against measles.
Who is at take chances of measles?
Anyone of whatsoever historic period can catch measles if they are not immune. You are considered allowed to measles if you take been sick with it in the past or if you have had a course of measles vaccinations.
In Australia, people born before 1966 are generally considered to be immune since information technology is very probable that they caught measles in babyhood.
People with weakened allowed systems (for example, those who are receiving chemotherapy) are more than likely to grab measles if exposed, and to suffer from complications.
Measles and pregnancy
Communicable measles during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or preterm labour.
Measles vaccinations are not recommended during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, encounter your doctor for a pre-conception health check. This usually includes making sure that you are immune to infections like measles.
When should I meet my doctor?
You lot should speak to your physician if you call back that you lot or your kid has measles, to make sure you go an authentic diagnosis. Your doctor volition likewise advise you lot on how to best protect people in your household. It is important for the local health government to know about cases of measles in the community so they can act quickly and control the spread.
Measles is very contagious, and so it's important to call your dr. before you plan a visit to the clinic. Otherwise, you may infect others. Ask your doctor about the possibility of a dwelling visit or telehealth appointment, such every bit a phone or video phone call.
Meet your doctor urgently if you are concerned, or if you have astringent symptoms that include:
- trouble animate
- high fever
- neck stiffness
- severe drowsiness
- earache
- diarrhoea
These can exist signs that you lot are developing complications from measles and may need urgent medical treatment.
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How is measles diagnosed?
Your physician tin can diagnose measles by request 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 doctor thinks you have measles, they may refer you lot for a blood exam, urine examination or a swab of your nose or pharynx. These tests can ostend the diagnosis.
How is measles treated?
In that location is no specific medicine or handling available to treat measles. Antibiotics will not help you recover from measles because the affliction is caused by a virus, not leaner.
Strategies to try to relieve your symptoms at domicile include:
- getting plenty of rest
- drinking enough fluids
- taking paracetamol to salve fever
If your symptoms are severe or you experience complications, you many need to be treated in hospital.
How can I prevent measles?
Vaccination is the best style to prevent measles.
A ii-dose grade of a measles vaccine is 99% constructive at preventing infection past the virus that causes measles.
The measles vaccine is given every bit office of a combination vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (known as MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (known as MMR-5). Both are very constructive and accept like side effects. Your doctor tin can advise which vaccine is right for you.
Children are offered 2 doses of measles vaccine for gratuitous, based on the National Immunisation Program Schedule at 12 and eighteen months of age.
If y'all were built-in in or later on 1966 and you haven't received vaccination against measles, speak to your doctor about getting vaccinated.
Vaccination confronting measles is strongly recommended for non-immune people who work in childcare, aged care or healthcare, also as for travellers.
Measles vaccination is not recommended for pregnant women or people who have a weakened allowed system.
| At what historic period is vaccination recommended? | Children aged over 12 months: The vaccine is commonly given at 12 and 18 months of age. Adults: Vaccination is recommended for those built-in in or since 1966 who have not already been vaccinated confronting measles. |
| How many doses? | two |
| How is the vaccine administered? | The vaccine is given past injection. |
| Is information technology free? | Measles vaccination is costless for people under 20 years of age and for refugees of any age inbound Australia on the National Immunisation Plan. Your physician may charge a consultation fee for your visit. You can find your nearest bulk billing (no fee) GP clinic using the healthdirect Service Finder tool. |
| Common side furnishings | Vaccination against measles is very safe, but side effects can occur. Common side effects include redness at the injection site, a rash or a fever. Side furnishings of measles vaccination usually occur near a week after receiving it. |
What complications tin come with measles?
1 in 10 people who catch measles will experience complications that can cause life-long effects or, occasionally, decease.
Complications include:
- ear infection
- lung infection (pneumonia)
- inflammation of the brain or the lining of the encephalon (meningitis or encephalitis)
Resource and back up
For more information virtually immunisation in Australia, visit the Department of Health Immunisation website.
Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/measles