Columbus, OH,
03
May
2019
|
16:17 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

Measles Outbreak: What You Need to Know

If you’ve turned on the news or signed onto social media lately, no doubt you’ve heard about the measles outbreak. Measles was ruled eradicated in the United States back in the year 2000, but has been making a comeback following recent outbreaks in nearly two dozen states.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the outbreak of the highly contagious virus is the result of people deciding not to vaccinate themselves or their children. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat, followed by a rash that spreads over the body. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR vaccine) is the best way to prevent yourself and others from contracting the virus.

Recently, reporters from ABC6 and 610 WTVN interviewed Ben Bring, DO, a sports and family medicine physician at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital about the outbreak.

“Those that choose not to get vaccinated, if they get sick, can affect others like infants who are too young to get the vaccine or children with compromised immune systems. And it can be life threatening for them,” said Dr. Bring.

For those adults who were vaccinated as a child, Dr. Bring said the vaccine typically is effective for life, but you can get your blood tested to confirm your immunity.

“If you’re in doubt, there’s no harm in getting an adult MMR vaccine booster,” said Dr. Bring.

“It’s one of the greatest accomplishments in history, to come up with a vaccine that can prevent measles. And I think, unfortunately, it’s resurfacing because there are people that are choosing not to get their kids immunized. There’s a lot of bad information out there on the internet. In our office, we try to educate parents as much as we can about the benefits and reasons why you should get it. If there’s one thing parents can get out of this message, it’s get your kids vaccinated,” said Dr. Bring.

To find an OhioHealth primary care physician near you, click here.

For more information, you can watch the ABC6 and 610 WTVN interviews with Dr. Bring by clicking on their station logos below.