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Can You Gt Measles Again if You Ahd Them as Kid

Key facts

  • Measles is a very contagious viral disease.
  • If you are vaccinated confronting measles, or if you have already had measles, yous are likely to be allowed to the affliction.
  • nine out of ten non-immune people volition catch measles if exposed to the virus.
  • Measles causes fever, cough, red eyes and a reddish, blotchy rash.
  • Measles tin can lead to serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
  • Vaccination is the best style to prevent measles.

What is measles?

Measles is a very contagious viral illness, best known for its characteristic red blotchy rash. Measles can be very serious. The complications that can come up with measles tin atomic number 82 to hospitalisation and even death.

Measles was very common in Australia before measles vaccination was added to the childhood immunisation schedule in 1971. Thanks to widespread vaccination, measles is now rare in Australia, but sometimes outbreaks still occur when infected people enter from overseas.

This page focuses on communication for adults and children above 5 years of age. You tin notice information nigh measles during pregnancy and in babies and younger children on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.

What are the symptoms of measles?

The symptoms of measles ordinarily appear nigh 10 days after exposure to an infected person.

The most characteristic symptom of measles is a blotchy ruby-red rash, but this is not usually the first symptom.

Measles usually starts as a flu-like affliction lasting for between 2 and 4 days with symptoms that include:

  • fever
  • tiredness
  • astringent cough
  • cherry eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • runny nose
  • white spots in the mouth (known equally Koplik spots)

On days 3 to 7 of the illness, the rash appears. It is usually 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 usually lasts 4 – 7 days.

Image of measles rash
Measles rash has cherry-red, slightly raised spots and may exist blotchy but not itchy.

Other symptoms may develop if the infection leads to complications, so if you accept measles and new symptoms announced or the current symptoms worsen, speak to your doctor.

Check YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the rashes and skin issues Symptom Checker and detect out if you need to seek medical aid.

What causes measles and how is information technology spread?

Measles is caused by a virus.

Measles is spread through contact with an infected person — for instance, when they cough or sneeze nearby. Information technology can too be spread if yous come up into contact with virus particles that remain in the air or on surfaces, even if the infected person has already left the surface area. Virus particles tin can stay in a room and infect others for upwards to 2 hours later an infected person leaves it.

Measles is very contagious, and people are unremarkably contagious from around 5 days before the rash appears to effectually four days after information technology has appeared.

Upwardly to 9 in every 10 people who are not immune to measles — including people who accept never been sick with or vaccinated confronting measles — will catch it if they come into contact with an infected person.

If you think you have measles, it is important to stay home from childcare, schoolhouse or work to stop you lot from spreading the infection. Your doctor volition review your symptoms to decide if you have measles, and to recommend when you can get back to school or work.

Measles is a notifiable affliction. This means that the dr. who diagnoses measles needs to written report the case to the local wellness authorities, who can take steps to prevent or command an outbreak. Since measles is very contagious, this usually involves a process called contact tracing. Later on speaking to the person with measles, contact tracers attempt to identify anyone who has had close contact with them recently.

People who are not allowed to measles but who had close contact with an infected person can then be offered treatments — known equally mail-exposure prophylaxis. In this manner, they reduce their adventure of getting ill with measles and continuing to spread the virus.

Post-exposure prophylaxis for measles usually involves vaccination, or for those unable to be vaccinated, a medicine containing antibodies against measles.

Who is at risk of measles?

Anyone of any age can catch measles if they are not immune. You are considered immune to measles if yous have been sick with it in the by or if you lot have had a form of measles vaccinations.

In Australia, people born before 1966 are generally considered to exist immune since it is very probable that they caught measles in childhood.

People with weakened immune systems (for instance, those who are receiving chemotherapy) are more likely to catch 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, come across your doctor for a pre-conception health check. This usually includes making sure that you are allowed to infections similar measles.

When should I see my md?

Yous should speak to your doctor if you lot think that you or your child has measles, to make sure you get an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor volition also propose you on how to best protect people in your household. It is important for the local wellness regime to know about cases of measles in the community and so they can act quickly and control the spread.

Measles is very contagious, then it's important to call your dr. before you program a visit to the clinic. Otherwise, you may infect others. Inquire your physician about the possibility of a home visit or telehealth date, such as a phone or video telephone call.

See your doctor urgently if you are concerned, or if you accept severe symptoms that include:

  • trouble breathing
  • high fever
  • neck stiffness
  • severe drowsiness
  • earache
  • diarrhoea

These can be signs that you lot are developing complications from measles and may need urgent medical treatment.

FIND A Wellness SERVICE — The Service Finder can assistance 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 ask your GP or specialist.

How is measles diagnosed?

Your dr. tin can diagnose measles by asking you near your symptoms and looking at your rash. They may too ask if you've been in recent contact with anyone infected with measles, and most your vaccination history.

If your medico thinks you lot accept measles, they may refer yous for a blood test, urine test or a swab of your olfactory organ or pharynx. These tests tin can confirm the diagnosis.

How is measles treated?

At that place is no specific medicine or treatment available to treat measles. Antibiotics will not assist you recover from measles considering the illness is caused by a virus, not bacteria.

Strategies to endeavour to relieve your symptoms at dwelling include:

  • getting plenty of rest
  • drinking enough fluids
  • taking paracetamol to relieve fever

If your symptoms are astringent or you experience complications, you many need to be treated in hospital.

How can I prevent measles?

Vaccination is the all-time way to prevent measles.

A two-dose course of a measles vaccine is 99% constructive at preventing infection by the virus that causes measles.

The measles vaccine is given as part 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 effective and have similar side furnishings. Your doc tin can advise which vaccine is correct for you lot.

Children are offered 2 doses of measles vaccine for free, based on the National Immunisation Program Schedule at 12 and eighteen months of age.

If you were born in or later on 1966 and you haven't received vaccination against measles, speak to your doctor about getting vaccinated.

Vaccination against measles is strongly recommended for not-immune people who piece of work in childcare, anile care or healthcare, also as for travellers.

Measles vaccination is not recommended for significant women or people who have a weakened immune system.

At what age is vaccination recommended?

Children anile over 12 months: The vaccine is usually given at 12 and 18 months of age.

Adults: Vaccination is recommended for those born in or since 1966 who accept not already been vaccinated confronting measles.

How many doses?

two

How is the vaccine administered? The vaccine is given by injection.
Is information technology free?

Measles vaccination is complimentary for people under twenty years of age and for refugees of whatsoever age inbound Australia on the National Immunisation Plan.

Your medico may accuse a consultation fee for your visit. You can notice your nearest bulk billing (no fee) GP clinic using the healthdirect Service Finder tool.

Common side effects

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 effects of measles vaccination usually occur about a week after receiving it.


What complications can come with measles?

i in 10 people who catch measles will experience complications that tin can cause life-long effects or, occasionally, decease.

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 near immunisation in Australia, visit the Section of Health Immunisation website.

knowlesbetimesely.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/measles

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