AntibioticDoc - Network

So: Measles can be a big deal, most recover but bad outcomes happen and it still kills people - mostly kids- every year.People may be blasé...

So:
Measles can be a big deal, most recover but bad outcomes happen and it still kills people - mostly kids- every year.

People may be blasé about this because the vaccine, which is safe, HAS worked well.

For most, two doses and you are good (prior exposures matter)

10/10

Vaccination with MMRKids/youth: 2 doses!Adults born in 1970+ from 1 dose era - Alberta now recommends 2 doses (but some places give second...

Vaccination with MMR

Kids/youth: 2 doses!
Adults born in 1970+ from 1 dose era - Alberta now recommends 2 doses (but some places give second dose for higher risk like travel, health care workers)
Born 60s and earlier: likely immune but 1 dose for higher risk areas

9/10

THE MEASLES VACCINEGood news: this is one of our most long-lasting vaccines after 2 doses!SO If you have had 2 doses at any time you are...

THE MEASLES VACCINE
Good news: this is one of our most long-lasting vaccines after 2 doses!
SO If you have had 2 doses at any time you are considered protected - or if prior infection
(not rcommended for some immunocompromised or pregnant people though)
8/10

Measles control: Public health measures to limit spread:Contact tracing, assessing exposed people for vaccine or immunoglobulins and/or...

Measles control:
Public health measures to limit spread:
Contact tracing, assessing exposed people for vaccine or immunoglobulins and/or quarantine, isolation of infected individuals
- Unvaccinated babies, pregnant and immunocompromised people are at high risk
7/10

Measles has NO specific treatment - but may need fluids, pain medications, oxygen.As many as 1 in 4 cases need hospitalization for care and...

Measles has NO specific treatment - but may need fluids, pain medications, oxygen.
As many as 1 in 4 cases need hospitalization for care and number of cases North American outbreaks range: 10s-1000.
Undernourished kids may benefit from vitamin A supplements.

6/10

People at high risk of bad outcomes:Kids under 1 (vaccination usually is at 12 months and then 18 months or 4 years)Children under 5 years...

People at high risk of bad outcomes:
Kids under 1 (vaccination usually is at 12 months and then 18 months or 4 years)
Children under 5 years old (most worldwide deaths)
Adults
Pregnant individuals
People with weakened immune systems (especially transplant, leukemia)

5/10

What happens to people?It's miserable and many (10-40%) need hospital care. Can see complications:Ear infectionsPneumonia - especially...

What happens to people?
It's miserable and many (10-40%) need hospital care.
Can see complications:
Ear infections
Pneumonia - especially in adults
Encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can cause seizures, deafness, or brain damage.
In rare cases, death (1/1000)

4/10

Symptoms start nonspecificallyHigh fever (38.3°C or higher) andcough, runny noseRed, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) THEN:Red, blotchy rash on...

Symptoms start nonspecifically
High fever (38.3°C or higher) and
cough, runny nose
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
THEN:
Red, blotchy rash on face/head that spreads down the body
(and Koplik spots - white spots in mouth - may also occur)

3/10

>95% immunity is needed to prevent outbreaks because one person can infect 12-18 others! The virus can remain airborne well after an...

>95% immunity is needed to prevent outbreaks because one person can infect 12-18 others!

The virus can remain airborne well after an infected person has left the area.
Pre-vaccination basically everyone got infected...and some had serious complications.
2/10

MEASLES...really?Yep.Let's go over some basics and vaccination recommendations.Measles is a HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS respiratory disease caused...

MEASLES...really?
Yep.

Let's go over some basics and vaccination recommendations.

Measles is a HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS respiratory disease caused by a virus. It's also known as rubeola. It spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
1/10

In science and health policy news this week:Real versus Satire?Unfortunately, mostly real. I am pondering some evidence based posts on...

In science and health policy news this week:
Real versus Satire?

Unfortunately, mostly real.

I am pondering some evidence based posts on evidence bases…

TLDR: Pertussis is awful, and can be severe, vaccination rates dropping all over contributes to MASSIVE surges, we have good vaccines to...

TLDR:
Pertussis is awful, and can be severe, vaccination rates dropping all over contributes to MASSIVE surges, we have good vaccines to help
but
the overall antivax resurgence plus underresourcing of public health means some who wouldn't have died will die.

Pertussis vaccine (combo pertussis/diptheria/tetanus) is >80% effective - under vaccinated 3X more likely infected....

Pertussis vaccine (combo pertussis/diptheria/tetanus) is >80% effective - under vaccinated 3X more likely infected. https://shorturl.at/De28r.
Immunization in pregnancy lowers risk for babies-but sadly antivax messaging in pregnancy makes things complex
https://shorturl.at/h7GxN

Pertussis can be cyclical, therer may be some post pandemic flare after lower circulation, BUT many countries have seen lower vaccination...

Pertussis can be cyclical, therer may be some post pandemic flare after lower circulation, BUT many countries have seen lower vaccination coverage over the past 5 years (often more around 70% fully immunized rather than >80%).
Misinformation spillover.
https://shorturl.at/JS9tl

It's nasty at any age, but for babies: about 1/2 are hospitalized, they can get pneumonia, encephalopathy with seizures, possible brain...

It's nasty at any age, but for babies: about 1/2 are hospitalized, they can get pneumonia, encephalopathy with seizures, possible brain damage, and up to 2 % die. The bacteria is in airways, starts like a cold, antibiotics don't help (may reduce spread)

https://shorturl.at/SJerM

Vaccination protection drops over time and a "nuisance" bad cough illness in youths and adults can spread pertussis in the...

Vaccination protection drops over time and a "nuisance" bad cough illness in youths and adults can spread pertussis in the community to vulnerable babies who get initial vaccines at 2 months and to vulnerable adults: vaccine in late pregnancy can pass protection to newborns

Worldwide issues: Spain, the UK, the Philippines, Netherlands, Croatia, Serbia, Denmark multiple US and Canadian regions have major...

Worldwide issues: Spain, the UK, the Philippines, Netherlands, Croatia, Serbia, Denmark multiple US and Canadian regions have major increases (many in the realm of 5-10X increases) - still 90% lower than the prevaccination era but that uptick is going UP.
https://shorturl.at/EIqf3

When a cough can kill: pertussis (vaccine preventable!) I've seen increasing pertussis #- like a 2702% rise in Brazil (about 6000 versus...

When a cough can kill: pertussis (vaccine preventable!)

I've seen increasing pertussis #- like a 2702% rise in Brazil (about 6000 versus 200 cases) 2023-24 in Brazil, with 27 deaths, mostly in babies. There is likely more case finding-testing in people with care access

So…Building up primary care teams with varied expertise, and fair remuneration would pay off across the health system. ButNot seeing...

So
…Building up primary care teams with varied expertise, and fair remuneration would pay off across the health system.
But
Not seeing anyone moving down that road presently….those changes would improve public health care access, but NOT gain profits for shareholders.
10/10

who may not have any specific training or experience in diagnostic assessments, or in some cases, maybe practising in a belief system that...

who may not have any specific training or experience in diagnostic assessments, or in some cases, maybe practising in a belief system that doesn’t correlate with current evidence basis medicine, although may be “sciencey looking.”
9/10