If You Have the Measles Can You Get It Again
Key facts
- Measles is a very contagious viral disease.
- If you are vaccinated confronting measles, or if y'all have already had measles, you are probable to exist allowed to the disease.
- ix out of 10 non-immune people will take hold of measles if exposed to the virus.
- Measles causes fever, coughing, cerise eyes and a reddish, blotchy rash.
- Measles can lead to serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the encephalon).
- Vaccination is the best manner to preclude measles.
What is measles?
Measles is a very contagious viral illness, all-time known for its feature red blotchy rash. Measles can exist very serious. The complications that can come up with measles can lead to hospitalisation and even death.
Measles was very mutual in Australia earlier measles vaccination was added to the childhood immunisation schedule in 1971. Thanks to widespread vaccination, measles is now rare in Commonwealth of australia, but sometimes outbreaks still occur when infected people enter from overseas.
This page focuses on advice for adults and children to a higher place v years of age. Yous can find data about measles during pregnancy and in babies and younger children on the Pregnancy, Birth and Infant website.
What are the symptoms of measles?
The symptoms of measles commonly appear about ten days later exposure to an infected person.
The most characteristic symptom of measles is a blotchy red rash, but this is non usually the first symptom.
Measles ordinarily starts equally a flu-similar disease lasting for betwixt ii and iv days with symptoms that include:
- fever
- tiredness
- severe cough
- red optics (conjunctivitis)
- runny nose
- white spots in the mouth (known every bit Koplik spots)
On days 3 to vii of the illness, the rash appears. Information technology is normally red and blotchy, but not itchy.
A measles rash generally starts at the head and then spreads down to the rest of the body. Information technology commonly lasts 4 – 7 days.
Other symptoms may develop if the infection leads to complications, and then if you have measles and new symptoms appear or the current symptoms worsen, speak to your doctor.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Utilise the rashes and skin problems Symptom Checker and discover out if you lot need to seek medical aid.
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 can also exist spread if you lot come into contact with virus particles that remain in the air or on surfaces, fifty-fifty if the infected person has already left the area. Virus particles can stay in a room and infect others for upwards to 2 hours after an infected person leaves it.
Measles is very contagious, and people are usually contagious from effectually 5 days earlier the rash appears to around 4 days afterwards it has appeared.
Up to 9 in every 10 people who are non immune to measles — including people who have never been ill with or vaccinated against measles — will grab it if they come into contact with an infected person.
If you think you have measles, it is of import to stay home from childcare, school or work to finish y'all from spreading the infection. Your doctor will review your symptoms to determine if you take measles, and to recommend when you can go back to school or work.
Measles is a notifiable disease. This means that the doctor who diagnoses measles needs to report the example to the local health authorities, who can take steps to foreclose or control an outbreak. Since measles is very contagious, this usually involves a process 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 non immune to measles but who had close contact with an infected person tin can and then be offered treatments — known as mail service-exposure prophylaxis. In this manner, they reduce their chance of getting sick with measles and continuing to spread the virus.
Postal service-exposure prophylaxis for measles usually involves vaccination, or for those unable to exist vaccinated, a medicine containing antibodies confronting measles.
Who is at hazard of measles?
Anyone of any age can catch measles if they are not immune. You are considered immune to measles if you have been ill with it in the by or if yous have had a course of measles vaccinations.
In Australia, people born before 1966 are generally considered to be immune since it is very likely that they caught measles in childhood.
People with weakened immune systems (for example, those who are receiving chemotherapy) are more likely to take hold of 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 y'all are planning a pregnancy, see your doctor for a pre-conception health check. This unremarkably includes making sure that you are immune to infections like measles.
When should I see my medico?
You should speak to your doctor if you think that you or your child has measles, to make sure you lot get an accurate diagnosis. Your dr. will also advise you on how to best protect people in your household. It is important for the local health regime to know about cases of measles in the community so they can deed quickly and control the spread.
Measles is very contagious, and so it's important to telephone call your doctor before you plan a visit to the dispensary. Otherwise, you may infect others. Inquire your dr. well-nigh the possibility of a home visit or telehealth appointment, such as a phone or video phone call.
Run across your doctor urgently if yous are concerned, or if you have severe symptoms that include:
- trouble breathing
- loftier fever
- cervix stiffness
- severe drowsiness
- earache
- diarrhoea
These tin be signs that you are developing complications from measles and may need urgent medical handling.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you 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 inquire your GP or specialist.
How is measles diagnosed?
Your doctor tin diagnose measles by request you lot 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 yous accept measles, they may refer you for a claret test, urine exam or a swab of your nose or pharynx. These tests can confirm the diagnosis.
How is measles treated?
There is no specific medicine or handling available to treat measles. Antibiotics will non help you recover from measles because the illness is acquired past a virus, not leaner.
Strategies to try to relieve your symptoms at home include:
- getting plenty of rest
- drinking enough fluids
- taking paracetamol to save fever
If your symptoms are severe or you feel complications, you many need to be treated in hospital.
How can I preclude measles?
Vaccination is the best way to forestall measles.
A two-dose course of a measles vaccine is 99% effective at preventing infection by the virus that causes measles.
The measles vaccine is given every bit function of a combination vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (known as MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (known equally MMR-V). Both are very constructive and have like side effects. Your doc can propose which vaccine is right for you.
Children are offered 2 doses of measles vaccine for free, based on the National Immunisation Program Schedule at 12 and xviii months of age.
If you were born in or afterward 1966 and you oasis't received vaccination against measles, speak to your doc about getting vaccinated.
Vaccination confronting measles is strongly recommended for non-immune people who work in childcare, aged care or healthcare, every bit well equally for travellers.
Measles vaccination is non recommended for pregnant women or people who have a weakened immune system.
| At what age is vaccination recommended? | Children aged over 12 months: The vaccine is ordinarily given at 12 and xviii months of age. Adults: Vaccination is recommended for those born in or since 1966 who have not already been vaccinated against measles. |
| How many doses? | ii |
| How is the vaccine administered? | The vaccine is given by injection. |
| Is it free? | Measles vaccination is free for people under xx years of age and for refugees of any age entering Australia on the National Immunisation Program. Your doctor may charge a consultation fee for your visit. You tin 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, simply side effects tin can occur. Common side effects include redness at the injection site, a rash or a fever. Side effects of measles vaccination normally occur about a week after receiving it. |
What complications can come with measles?
1 in ten people who grab measles will feel complications that tin can cause life-long effects or, occasionally, death.
Complications include:
- ear infection
- lung infection (pneumonia)
- inflammation of the brain or the lining of the brain (meningitis or encephalitis)
Resources and support
For more than information virtually immunisation in Australia, visit the Department of Health Immunisation website.
Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/measles
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