HEALTH TIME

ASK DR. MARIANNE

Dear Dr. Marianne,
I heard on the radio the other day that Switzerland has the highest rate of measles (masern) outbreaks in Europe.
My son is soon scheduled to have the vaccine against measles, but some of my friends recommend that I don't let him have this because of possible side effects. I don't know what to do. What would you recommend?"

Dear reader,
Measles is an infectious disease, which is caused by the morbilli virus. Measles is spread by direct contact with a sick persons fluid from the nose or mouth or by aerosols in the air. The disease typically begins with a few days of fever followed by a few days without fever before the fever reenters with high temperature along with a characteristic rash, runny nose, cough and conjunctivitis (eye infection). The incubation period (time from exposure of the virus until symptoms appear) is 8 – 11 days. An infected person is contagious 3 days before the rash shows and 2 – 4 days after the rash appears. Complications is pneumonia, bronchitis, diarrhea, otitis and encephalitis, and the disease is possible lethal. There is no effective antiviral therapy, so the therapy is based on relieving symptoms.

The first vaccine to this disease became available in 1963. Most countries now offer a combined vaccine called MMR, against measles, mumps and rubella. It is given in two doses at age 12 – 15 months and then again at 4 - 12 years of age.
Possible side effects of the vaccine are a local skin reaction at the injection site. Some might experience fever, rash, lymph node enlargement, testicular and/or parotid gland enlargement. These side effects represents symptoms which each of the disease covered by the MMR vaccine may present with. However the side effects of the vaccine are often milder compared to the symptoms of the actual diseases. There has been some discussion about MMR vaccine and autism, but studies have not been able to show this connection.

World wide it is estimated that 30 million people catch the disease each year and that 500 000 dies. In the industrialized parts of the world where vaccination is given outbreaks may occur in unvaccinated populations. Not being vaccinated is the probable cause to what you heard about in the radio. Studies have shown that the MMR vaccine gives 90% protection. So I would recommend you to give your son the vaccine. The potential side effects of the vaccine are a lot less serious than getting the actual disease and spreading it.

Dr. Marianne

MARIANNE EFSKIND Born: Norway Family: married to John Olav Occupation: intern in public health and family medicine in Vik.

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