GET VACCINATED!

[AmyRI]

Not just your kids - you, too!

It's still unconfirmed, but someone in RI is being treated for measles and was seen at 2 different hospitals and 1 clinic before being isolated, and they had no history of vaccination. Anyone that was in those facilities on the same dates is urged to contact the hospitals or the Department of Health and get treated.

MMR isn't until the 1-year visit, so infants are dependent on others to be vaccinated!

www.ri.gov/press/view/21400

[anna7602]

I had to have a titer test for measles each time I have been pregnant. If I passed that, I'm okay, right?

[AmyRI]

Mar 3, 2014 12:59:26 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

I had to have a titer test for measles each time I have been pregnant. If I passed that, I'm okay, right?

Yes - according to RI's DOH website, "A blood test showing you are protected against measles is considered evidence of immunity."

And most of us were born in the US and likely received MMR at some point and should be fine - but they're urging anyone that came in contact with the patient to get tested and/or treated just in case.

(this comment not directed at you - ) I posted as a reminder to stay current with vaccinations in general, with this as an example. We talk a lot about getting our kids vaccinated and the importance of herd immunity, and episodes like this remind me why it's just as important for adults to stay current. Not all vaccines are good forever and boosters are just as important as initial doses.

[dbsk8dance]

www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-flu-deaths-california-20140228,0,3171099.story?track=rss#axzz2uvOLiObT

CA is at 302 deaths due to the flu this year.

[AmyRI]

Mar 3, 2014 13:13:43 GMT -5 dbsk8dance said:

www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-flu-deaths-california-20140228,0,3171099.story?track=rss#axzz2uvOLiObT

CA is at 302 deaths due to the flu this year.

Ugh, so scary! The project manager I'm working for was out all of last week with the flu. His kids are fine, since they got them vaccinated, but he still isn't 100%!

[Deleted]

Mar 3, 2014 13:16:42 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

Mar 3, 2014 12:59:26 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

I had to have a titer test for measles each time I have been pregnant. If I passed that, I'm okay, right?

They are probably checking your rubella titer (that is the standard test during pregnancy), but if you responded to the rubella portion of the vaccine, you are probably fine for measles/mumps.  

ETA: You can't be vaccinated with MMR during pregnancy anyway.  

Yes, this. I failed the rubella test while pregnant deuterium being vaccinated as a child. They gave me the shot after C was born.

[fromage]

Something similar happened a few weeks ago in CA. Someone with a confirmed case of the measles got on the commuter train, potentially infecting thousands of other commuters. Crazy cakes.

www.sfgate.com/health/article/BART-rider-with-measles-potentially-exposed-5233352.php

[h]

Mar 3, 2014 13:15:01 GMT -5 AmyRI said:

Mar 3, 2014 13:13:43 GMT -5 dbsk8dance said:

www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-flu-deaths-california-20140228,0,3171099.story?track=rss#axzz2uvOLiObT

CA is at 302 deaths due to the flu this year.

Ugh, so scary! The project manager I'm working for was out all of last week with the flu. His kids are fine, since they got them vaccinated, but he still isn't 100%!

I "know" two people who died of the flu this year (one friend of a friend and one of my dad's coworkers), and both were health care professionals who had been vaccinated. Both were otherwise healthy people in their 30s and the parents of small kids--one had a three week old baby when he died. It is so sad and scary.

[disappointedkittens]

There was a measles outbreak here the week my baby was born. It was caused by an unvaccinated child travelling on a plane. It sucks that one person's decision not to vaccinate can cause so much trouble and risk to others.