$Unique_ID{BRK01569}
$Pretitle{Infections or Parasites}
$Title{Do You Know Anything About "Atypical" Measles?}
$Subject{measles atypical}
$Volume{A}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Do You Know Anything About "Atypical" Measles?


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QUESTION:  I have always thought that measles simply was another childhood
disease, but my girlfriend says that it can be quite serious.  What do you
think?  Do you know anything about "atypical" measles?  Where does it come
from?  I appreciate your answers very much.

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ANSWER:  Measles, also called rubeola, certainly can be considered a serious
disease, at least in some cases.  One person in 3,000 who gets measles dies
from it and three more suffer acute encephalitis, a severe brain infection.
Before measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, there were 500,000 cases a year
in the United States.  Measles has made a rebound; there were 6,282 cases in
1986, more than double the number seen in 1985, a trend that seesms to be
continuing.
     Measles vaccinations have reduced the overall number of cases, but
because of incomplete immunization, some variations of measles have emerged.
One such situation is known as "atypical measles syndrome" (AMS), which can be
confused with other diseases that produce rashes.  Simply stated, it is a case
of measles which may produce a disease where the typical signs and symptoms
normally associated with this infection may be changed.  AMS occurs in people
who received a measles immunization between 1963 and 1967 with a vaccine that
was later found to be inadequate.  This led to a sensitization of the person,
and causes an "atypical" disease when they are infected by the virus from a
wild strain.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
