Nurses/Medical People, Come In

[summer]

So the California measles outbreak has finally made it's way into my county (the neighboring town). Not only that, but the infected person rides the same public transit line as my DH, at the same times. He rode that line/time three days last week before realizing he was infected.  Yaaaaaaaaaay.

My question is, if DH is immunized, how likely is it that, if he was exposed, he could then pass it to one of the kids? I am less worried about DS, since he is up to date on his immunizations and has had most of his MMR, but obviously DD has had none of them. Should I be concerned?

*Not trying to start any vaccination debates here...just asking about passing the virus around.

[wineandcake]

If he's up to date, I would say a 10% chance he could catch it if exposed. We just had this talk at work today because we're testing someone for it. Keep an eye on everyone, and if they start showing signs (cough, runny nose, high fever) isolate them and see a doctor/health unit.

[kleigh926]

I could be wrong about this, but I'm thinking that even if your DH doesn't actually get measles himself since he's vaccinated, he could still carry the virus and pass it to someone else. Maybe someone more knowledgable about viruses/vaccines can confirm or disprove that? (ryn)

I still think there's a low chance of anything happening, but obviously keep a close watch for it.

[ally2011]

No debate to be had. Vaccinate. The end.

PS - I am sorry you are dealing with this. It stinks and is completely avoidable.

[brachysira]

Yeah, I would call the doctor and not have DH handle the baby until you can see if anything develops. I did read that in times of outbreak, you can get a vaccine at 6 months and then repeat at 1 year, so if your community is seeing more cases, perhaps keep this in mind.

[byebyebooze]

Even if your DH is vaxed, there's still a decent chance he could get sick (like 5-10%... I forget the exact number). I would definitely call the pedi and ask for advice. It's scary that he could possible transmit it, but, since your DH has already been around your baby and since the incubation time for measles is so long, I don't think it's practical to keep him away from your family.

[ryn]

The measles virus is airborne and survives up to two hours outside of a viable host. If a LO or partner with one dose of the vaccine came into contact with those cells within the first two hours, their statistical chance of infection (not taking into account special genetic circumstances) is 5% (five of every one hundred vaccinated people who have received only one dose of MMR will develop measles if exposed - and since your older child was just vaxxed a year ago, their risk might even be significantly lower - for your DH the risk with one jab is 5% - two jabs makes the risk insignificant). IF they are among the 5% of people who are susceptible to infection, the virus will populate and they will be contagious and your infant could be at risk. If they are *not* susceptible, the virus cannot repopulate and only the cells they carry home will be a threat to your family - if, hypothetically, your partner or child touched a surface in a bus which another person with measles coughed on, and then came home and those cells made it from their hands to anything touching the baby, all within two hours from the time the person on the bus coughed, then baby is at definite risk. Unless you know that your child or partner was on the bus *with* the infected individual, I would try very hard not to worry too much - but do be very aware of any cold-like symptoms and watch for a rash - call your pedi about your concerns and be sure everyone is washing their hands when they get home and before touching baby. **Note that the statistics supplied here are from the CDC and apply specifically to studies performed in the US. Efficacy rates from other countries may differ as exposure to measles and general healthcare, as well as genetic diversity, vary. The lower efficacy rates identified by other health organizations can range from only 80% - 90% with one dose, and 95% with two doses. On the west coast, where our vax rates are pretty low compared to other parts of the nation, our risks may actually be a bit higher than the CDC citation - but the two hour rule is pretty much universal  

[sagen]

I am glad you received great answers because I had no clue. I am sorry you had to deal with that, vaccinate people.

As an aside I am watching Friday Night Lights right now, I am liking it!

[summer]

Feb 12, 2015 14:12:28 GMT -5 sagen said:

I am glad you received great answers because I had no clue. I am sorry you had to deal with that, vaccinate people.

As an aside I am watching Friday Night Lights right now, I am liking it!

Yeeeesssssssss. Oh that makes me so happy.  If you get to Season 2, don't get thrown off by the truncated season; it's when all the writers in Hollywood went on strike.

Thank you so much to everyone, especially ryn. It was so helpful and reassuring. We see the pedi on Monday, so I will talk to him then unless I notice something off with the kids.