Javascript required
Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer
Home / I Was Vaccinated for Measles as a Child Do I Need It Again

I Was Vaccinated for Measles as a Child Do I Need It Again

Measles is an infection that spreads very hands and can crusade serious problems in some people. Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to foreclose it.

Check if yous or your child has measles

Measles commonly starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later on. Some people may as well get small spots in their mouth.

Cold-similar symptoms

The first symptoms of measles include:

  • a high temperature
  • a runny or blocked nose
  • sneezing
  • a cough
  • ruby-red, sore, watery eyes

Spots in the mouth

A number of very small white spots inside a person's mouth.

Minor white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later. These spots usually last a few days.

The measles rash

A rash usually appears a few days afterward the cold-similar symptoms.

The measles rash on a person with white skin. The person's arms, chest and tummy are almost completely covered with red, blotchy patches.
The rash starts on the confront and backside the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
A close-up of the measles rash on someone with white skin, showing some raised red spots joined together to form blotchy patches.
The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They're non unremarkably itchy.
The measles rash on the forehead of a child with light brown skin. The rash looks like pale red blotchy patches.
The rash looks brown or cherry-red on white skin. Information technology may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

Information:

If you're not sure it'southward measles

It'south very unlikely to exist measles if you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine or yous've had measles before.

See other rashes in babies and children

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or go assist from NHS 111 if:

  • you call up you or your child may have measles
  • you've been in close contact with someone who has measles and you lot've not had measles before or y'all've not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine
  • yous've been in close contact with someone who has measles and you're significant – measles can be serious in pregnancy
  • you have a weakened immune system and call back yous have measles or have been in close contact with someone with measles

Measles can spread to others easily. Telephone call your GP surgery before you go in. They may suggest talking over the phone.

You can also telephone call 111 or get help from 111 online.

How to look after yourself or your child

Measles usually starts to get better in about a week.

After seeing a GP, there are things you can do to help ease the symptoms and reduce the chance of spreading the infection.

Information technology can aid to:

  • rest and drink enough fluids, such as water, to avert dehydration
  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve a high temperature – do non requite aspirin to children under xvi years
  • use cotton fiber soaked in warm h2o to gently remove any crusts from your or your child's eyes

Important

Stay off nursery, school, or piece of work for at to the lowest degree 4 days from when the rash first appears.

Too try to avoid close contact with babies, people who are meaning and people with weakened immune systems.

How to avoid spreading or catching measles

Measles is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. There are things yous tin can do to reduce the run a risk of spreading or catching it.

Practise

  • wash your hands often with soap and warm water

  • employ tissues when y'all cough or sneeze

  • throw used tissues in the bin

Don't

  • do not share cutlery, cups, towels, clothes, or bedding

Complications of measles

Measles tin can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain.

Bug that can exist caused past measles include:

  • pneumonia
  • meningitis
  • blindness
  • seizures (fits)

These problems are rare, but some people are more at risk. This includes babies and people with weakened immune systems.

Measles in pregnancy

If you become measles when you're significant, information technology could harm your baby.

It can cause:

  • miscarriage or stillbirth
  • premature nativity (before the 37th week of pregnancy)
  • your baby having a low birthweight

It's important to get medical communication if you're significant and have been in close contact with someone who has measles.

Get vaccinated against measles

The MMR vaccine can prevent measles. It as well protects you from mumps and rubella.

The MMR vaccine is offered to all children in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. 2 doses can give lifelong protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Ask at your GP surgery if you're not certain y'all or your child have had the vaccine. They can give information technology for free on the NHS.

Observe out more about the MMR vaccine

Page concluding reviewed: 21 February 2022
Next review due: 21 Feb 2025

berginpaless.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/