Recent Health Advisories

I would like to share two recent health advisories from the California Department of Public Health. In the last few months, there have been increases in the number of cases of two vaccine-preventable diseases, measles and whooping cough (also called pertussis).

Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through contact with fluid from an infected person who coughs or sneezes. Measles causes fever, cough, runny nose, pink eye, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body. Children with measles may get an ear infection or pneumonia. Some children who get measles may have swelling in the brain or may die from measles.

There is a vaccine to prevent measles. This is included in the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Children receive one dose of this vaccine at 12-15 months and a second dose around 4-5 years. Measles is rare in the United States, but cases can still occur, especially in people who travel to areas of the world where measles is more common. Making sure your child is immunized against measles protects not only your child, but also the people around your child.

The other disease that is on the rise is whooping cough. Whooping cough is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. Like measles, it is spread through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Whooping cough first causes mild cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and low fever. After 1-2 weeks a cough develops. This cough is often severe. The name whooping cough comes from the sound children make as they try to inhale after a severe coughing spell. People with whooping cough may cough so hard that they throw up or even break a rib. Whooping cough is very dangerous for young children and infants.

There is a vaccine to prevent whooping cough. It is included in the DTaP vaccine that also protects against diphtheria and tetanus. Children receive this vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months, with boosters at 15-18 months and 4-6 years. Protection from this vaccination series fades over time. Fortunately, there is now a vaccine available for adolescents and adults. This is included in a version of the tetanus booster called TDaP vaccine (also called Adacel). It is recommended that adults get one dose of this vaccine in place of the regular tetanus booster.

Measles and whooping cough are very serious illnesses. Although neither of them is very common in the United States, the California Department of Public Health has announced that they are both on the rise in California. Immunization, hand washing, routine cleaning and disinfecting, staying home when sick, and covering coughs and sneezes can all help to reduce the spread of these diseases.

For more information about measles, visit: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Measles.aspx

For more information about whooping cough, visit: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Pertussis.aspx