You may have heard the news that there have been 41 reported cases of measles in the Oakland County area. There has also been one in Wayne County and one in Washtenaw County. So as of today, that’s a total of 43 reported measles cases in Southeast Michigan.
It is believed to have started when someone had visited NYC and came down with it. The incubation period of measles can be up to 21 days, which means symptoms may not appear for that long of a duration.
Measles is extremely contagious as it travels when someone coughs or sneezes and can survive up to 2 hours in the air after that happens!
Excerpt from Michiganradio.org – “People who are not vaccinated have at least a 95% chance, if they are exposed, of becoming infected with measles,” says Dr. Russell Faust, Medical Director for the Oakland County Health Division. “This is an incredibly effective virus.”
So what can we do about this? Lots. Look for the signs which are the following: a fever, a cough, a runny nose, and inflamed eyes. Further on, about 3 to 5 days after symptoms begin, one may show white spots in their mouth and throat and a red rash may develop on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
There is no cure for the measles, but you may get vaccinated up to 72 hours AFTER you’ve been exposed. This does not mean you won’t get the virus, but the symptoms should be less and the time you have it should also be shorter. So keep up with where the virus has been reported and if you’ve been in the vicinity then talk with your doctor. Here’s an updated list of measle exposure locations.
Excerpt from Michiganradio.org – “Health officials are also urging people with greater risk (infants, pregnant women, anyone with a lowered immune system) to get an injection called an immune serum globulin, which can help prevent the disease and lessen the symptoms. And doctors can also point patients toward fever reducers and other treatments, which can reduce the chance of death. That risk is approximately 0.2%, though young children have a higher chance of complications or death from the measles.”
The Mayo Clinic is a great source of information that will inform you as to what to do in order to avoid the measles and what to do if you are exposed to the measles. MEASLES – PREVENTION & MORE
So let’s not panic, but let’s remain cautious and informed.
[signature]