Measles Epidemic . . . NOT! - Dr Bob Sears Why is it that every time there are a few cases of measles, everyone panics? I just dont get it. So, heres the situation in the O.C., where I live and practice. Seven cases. Seven. Thats 7. Not 700, not a million. Seven. So, why do people panic? Heres one reason: the ^$#@*&%&*$# media. News reports go out stating that there are outbreaks of measles, and everyone needs to be concerned. Everyone is quick to blame those who dont vaccinate, AND those who dont vaccinate start to panic. Weve gotten dozens of calls to our office with people wanting to know if they should come in for the vaccine. Heres my take on it: EVERY single year in the U.S. we have measles - between 50 and 150 cases. Last year there were two large outbreaks - 58 cases in New York and over 20 in Texas. Both those outbreaks died out. No one has died from measles in the U.S. in over 10 years. So, there is ALWAYS the potential for measles. ALWAYS. If you choose not to do the vaccine, then you just have to accept that fact, and not panic whenever you hear the M word. Youve lived with this risk for years, so why panic just because there are 7 cases in the county you live in? This year there will be more than usual, the way its looking so far, but its not a reason to panic. Make your choice - do vaccine, or dont do the vaccine. So, when SHOULD someone worry? If an actual direct exposure has occurred from a known case, then you might be at risk. This doesnt mean a case in the county in which you live: it means that youve actually been in the same room with someone who has had measles. Or, at the most, maybe the same building. But transmission almost always requires close proximity (same room). There have been a handful of cases over the decades in which someone sitting across a stadium has caught it, but that is almost unheard of. You have to be in the same room, people. If THAT happens, call me. If not, then just relax and go about your life as usual. IF we see more cases, Ill let you know. Actually, just to give you a heads up, we probably WILL see a few more cases. But virtually all measles outbreaks are limited to 10 to 20 cases in any given county. So, the chance that any one of your unvaccinated children is going to be a case is very very very very very small. I love you all, and love caring for you all. But just chill out. Measles will never go away - its always going to be a very small risk. If you arent comfortable with that, get the vaccine. If you dont want the vaccine, accept the risk.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 10:54:45 +0000