Health Watch

By Steve Mullenix



Let’s pick up where we left off last week talking about immunizations.

Last week, we discussed diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio. This week, we will address the other required immunizations and a few more common or suggested ones.

For school age students, measles, rubella, mumps and varicella are required or suggested immunizations.



Measles

Measles is a very contagious infection that causes a rash all over the body. It is also called rubeola or red measles.

Measles is caused by a virus. It is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, shares food or drinks. The measles virus can travel through the air. This means that you can get measles if you are near someone who has the virus even if that person doesn’t cough or sneeze directly on you.

The virus can be spread to others from four days before the rash starts until four days after the rash appeared. The virus is most often spread when people first get sick, before they know they even have it.



Rubella

Rubella, also called German measles or 3-day measles, is a disease caused by the rubella virus.

Rubella is generally a mild illness that does not result in long-term problems.

The rubella virus is most often spread through droplets of fluid from the mucous membranes that contain the virus. An infected person can spread these droplets by coughing, sneezing, talking or sharing food and drinks. You can become infected by touching a surface contaminated with the droplets and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.



Mumps

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that can cause painful swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands between the ear and the jaw.

However, one out of three people with mumps will not have gland swelling. They may have an upper respiratory tract infection (URI) instead.

Mumps is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, shares food or drinks.



Varicella

Varicella vaccine is an immunization to prevent chickenpox. Chickenpox is a common illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. It is most common in children, but most people will get chickenpox at some point in their lives if they have not had the chickenpox vaccine.

Chickenpox usually isn’t serious in healthy children. But it can cause problems for pregnant women, newborns, teens, adults and people who have immune system problems that make it hard for the body to fight infection.

Once a person has had chickenpox, he/she is not likely to get it again. But the virus stays in the body after the illness. If the virus becomes active again, it can cause a painful viral infection called shingles.

Immunizations don’t end with small school-age students. Some colleges or universities recommend that students be vaccinated against Meningococcal disease. This immunization provides the individual with coverage for bacterial meningitis.

If a student is entering a health-related area of studies where they will come in contact with patients and possible blood or blood products, there may be a requirement for Hepatitis vaccinations.

It is estimated that more than 200 million individuals worldwide are chronically infected with the most common form of Hepatitis, so it’s easy to understand the requirement for this immunization.

Yearly influenza vaccines are a good idea, and are highly recommended for certain segments of the population. Pneumonia vaccinations are recommended every five years.

Immunizations are life-long. Zostavax, or the shingles vaccine, is recommended for individuals over the age of 65 who meet certain risk criteria.

Over years of active immunization programs, many of these diseases have been eliminated from the U.S. population.

Since other countries have not been as diligent in their immunization programs, and we still need to take precautions to protect our children.

Immunizations are not needless injections, but can and have proven over the years to have saved countless children’s lives.

Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.