Resolved question:
Hello,
I just have a quick question about the measles. As a child I believe I was vaccinated on a few separate occasions. However a friend has just let me know that they have contracted the virus. I have been in fairly close contact with this friend over the past few weeks.
Should I be worried about contracting the virus? Any preventative steps I should take?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Pediatrician
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
If you have received at least two doses of MMR as a child, your protection against measles generally lasts a lifetime. The efficacy is up to 99% for most adults. However, there are special scenarios:
1. If one is immune compromised - HIV, TB, Malnutrition, etc there is a risk for such a person to lose protection and acquire this disease.
2. The risk of contracting the disease is increased for personnel who come in contact with children - Pediatricians, Creche workers, teachers, young parents, any person who is professionally exposed to young children, etc.
3. Children who received the vaccine but failed to sero-convert (meaning failed to produce protective antibody levels). This group may continue to be at-risk despite vaccination. But, this group constitutes less than 1% of vaccinated.
The above groups of patients may be considered for a MMR booster/ full vaccination schedule depending on their previous immunisation status. In your case, as you were vaccinated for measles in childhood, there is a 99% chance that you are protected. So, you may consider getting a protective antibody titre from your nearest physician.
Regards
Dr. Saptharishi L G