UPPER MICHIGAN, Mich. (WLUC) – Medical professionals in the U.P. are working hard to prevent any further spread of measles.
Measles is contagious and can make you pretty sick with a fever, rash, cough, and irritated eyes.
The state has seen a rise in illness, there are now 9 confirmed cases in Michigan, and two of those are in the U.P.
Heathcare professionals say this is something parents must take seriously.
“Twenty percent of kids who get it need to be hospitalized, some get pneumonia from it, some get an ear infection from it, and some of it can get inflammation in the brain. We see a death rate of about one in 1,000,” Western U.P. Health Department Medical Director Robert Van Howe said.
Van Howe says in some cases, measles can cause life-threatening problems like swelling in the brain or serious lung infections.
He says measles affects people of all ages. However, kids younger than 5 are at risk, and the disease spreads quickly if infected.
“You’re contagious until about four to five days after,” Van Howe said. “A person who has measles spreads it when they breathe, when they cough or when they sneeze.”
Aspirus Health System professionals say you can still get the disease even if the infected person has left the area. Experts recommend getting vaccinated.
“We don’t have a clear-cut treatment like a normal infection would. If a person is unvaccinated and there is expected exposure, it’s important to seek healthcare treatment right away,” Aspirus Health System Antimicrobial Stewardship Coordinator Kelly Zander said. “We can give you certain things that could potentially mitigate the risk of contracting measles.”
Zander says Aspirus currently offers one vaccination option.
“Through the MMR – Measles, Mumps, and Rubella – vaccine, the first dose is typically around age one, and then the second dose is typically around kindergarten age, so age five. Even one dose of the MMR vaccine can be 93% effective and then with the second dose, it’s 97% effective,” Zander said.
Healthcare professionals are still investigating measles, and they don’t fully know how some people catch it.
They also say to ask your healthcare provider how you can get vaccinated for measles.
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