13 WTHR IndianapolisQ & A on measles outbreak

There are lots of questions from WTHR viewers about contracting the measles and how to protect your family. State Health Commissioner Dr. Greg Larkin joined Eyewitness News Sunrise Thursday morning to answer some of those questions. In case you missed it, here is what the doctor had to say.

Julia Moffitt: If you have a baby under one year old, should you not take that baby out in public?

Dr. Larkin: No, you really don't have to be that extreme. If your baby, less than a year old, has been in a location that's been identified already on the particular dates that an infectious person might be around and you feel that child had a recently close exposure, you could take them to a physician.

Although vaccines for a baby less than a year old are not appropriate; they usually wait until they're 14 or 16 months. Physicians will give infants a vaccine less than a year old if the child has been directly in the company of someone who is known to be infectious.

Julia: Then perhaps in those cases, you should talk specifically with your doctor?

Dr. Larkin: Yes, that's correct.

Julia: Our next question come from Tom Dolan on our Facebook page. "I had both varieties of measles when I was eight years old, but I have not heard anyone explain the illness, effects, dangers, long term problems, or if it is any worse than a cold."

Dr. Larkin: That's a very good question. In fact, most people born before 1957 have been exposed to someone with measles, or may have had them themselves and are therefore immune naturally. But because it was so common back then, there is a misconception that it's a disease that is not serious.

Typically, the measles will present in a person; they'll have the virus maybe for a week and not even know it, but then the following week they will get kind of a bad cold, upper respiratory infection, and that will go to a very high fever, which is uncommon for a regular cold; a fever of 104-105. At which point, they will break out with what we call the signature rash. All during this time they are infectious and can share the virus. The rash will maybe last a week to eight days, and it will fade, and in time, the patient will get over it.

Now that's the typical case, it's a nuisance; you can make other people infectious. Reality is, though, that 30% of those who get measles get secondary and serious complications, and those can include pneumonia, dehydration, encephalitis, which is the inflammation of the lining around the brain, and rarely – granted rarely – they can cause death. So it's not a disease, this is like the common cold at all.

Julia: Thanks for coming in this morning. Immunization, like you said, is key.

Measles Hotline

The Indiana State Department of Health has established a hotline to help answer questions from the general public.

• The hotline number is 1-877-826-0011 (TTY/TTD 1-888-561-0044).
• State Health Department staff will be on-hand during the hours of 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday to answer questions.
• Note: Immunization status cannot be verified through this hotline. Individuals unsure of vaccination status are encouraged to contact your health care provider, as they have access to the Indiana Immunization Registry.

Call Center Top 5 Q&A:

1.  Why am I considered immune if I was born prior to 1957? What if I don't remember having the measles or the vaccine?

Answer:  Prior to the advent of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1963, measles was endemic in the U.S.  Many children got measles during that time and developed antibodies to prevent reoccurrence of disease.  It was considered one of the "childhood diseases" that most kids got.  Your health care provider may be able to check your immunization status through the Indiana Immunization Registry, CHIRP, or can test you for immunity.

2.    What if I don't know my immune status?

Answer:  If you are unsure, you can ask your local health department or health care provider to check your vaccination record.  Two doses of MMR are needed to be fully protected.  

3.    What kind of protection do I get from the vaccine?

Answer:  the MMR vaccine is very good at protecting you from measles.  Most people will develop antibodies (immunity) with the first dose, but the second dose is needed to boost that immunity and will fully protect 99% of individuals who receive it.

4.    What about my child that is less than 1 year of age? Can I take them out in public since they are too young for vaccine?

Answer:  Yes. You and your family may continue with normal activities.  The State Health Department and local health officials are working with the known cases and then reaching out to those who may have been exposed to make sure they are protected. You can also speak with your pediatrician or health care provider

5.    If my child receives a vaccination before 12 months of age (common age for first MMR vaccination), does that count as a valid dose or will he/she still need two doses?

Answer:  Children as young as 6 months can receive an MMR vaccine in the event of an outbreak, however vaccinations given prior to 12 months of age will not "count" for school entry purposes in Indiana. Please consult with your pediatrician or health care provider.