Measles Exposure at Montgomery County Urgent Care Clinic Sends Alert to Potential Victims
Health officials in Montgomery County have raised the alarm after a person with measles visited Patient First Primary and Urgent Care last month, putting numerous individuals at risk of contracting the highly contagious disease. The exposure occurred on January 29th between 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., with anyone in attendance during that time frame advised to monitor themselves for symptoms.
Measles is a serious respiratory illness that spreads rapidly through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, as well as through contact with droplets from the individual. If you believe you may have been exposed, watch for symptoms over the next 21 days, which can include fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, red watery eyes, and unexplained rash.
To determine if you are at risk, check your vaccination records: two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (or the recommended dose based on age) provide protection against the disease. Additionally, individuals born before 1957 or confirmed to have had measles through lab tests are also considered immune.
If you've been exposed but haven't received the necessary vaccinations, it's crucial to notify your healthcare provider before visiting a facility to minimize the risk of transmission. Certain populations, including young children under five, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems due to leukemia, HIV, or other diseases, are particularly vulnerable to measles complications.
Fortunately, two doses of the MMR vaccine can prevent measles altogether. The vaccine is widely available at pharmacies and healthcare providers, making it a simple and effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones. For more information on measles, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's site.
Health officials in Montgomery County have raised the alarm after a person with measles visited Patient First Primary and Urgent Care last month, putting numerous individuals at risk of contracting the highly contagious disease. The exposure occurred on January 29th between 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., with anyone in attendance during that time frame advised to monitor themselves for symptoms.
Measles is a serious respiratory illness that spreads rapidly through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, as well as through contact with droplets from the individual. If you believe you may have been exposed, watch for symptoms over the next 21 days, which can include fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, red watery eyes, and unexplained rash.
To determine if you are at risk, check your vaccination records: two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (or the recommended dose based on age) provide protection against the disease. Additionally, individuals born before 1957 or confirmed to have had measles through lab tests are also considered immune.
If you've been exposed but haven't received the necessary vaccinations, it's crucial to notify your healthcare provider before visiting a facility to minimize the risk of transmission. Certain populations, including young children under five, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems due to leukemia, HIV, or other diseases, are particularly vulnerable to measles complications.
Fortunately, two doses of the MMR vaccine can prevent measles altogether. The vaccine is widely available at pharmacies and healthcare providers, making it a simple and effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones. For more information on measles, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's site.