Jump to comment:
- Page navigation anchor for MeaslesMeaslesIt shocks me that measles is still a threat (editorial September); it is an eminently eradicable disease, infecting only humans and not mutating; like small pox, but not quite so deadly. I was proud to read the UK had eliminated measles in 2017 and very sorry to read of its return. I want to do my bit, but the editorial is very unclear as to how I can practically do this, the reason being primarily I think, that it is written by non-GPs. It reminds me of the talk I went to by a cardiologist who encouraged us to refer ALL our 'chest pain's to him, since it was impossible to be sure they weren't cardiac. Knowing smirks were exchanged by the GPs present.If we notified the public health Drs of all people with a fever, coryza and a rash, they would be overwhelmed. I thought Koplik spots were pathogmnemonic but I now read they are "an unreliable marker". In fact, measles may only present as a fever, a cold and a rash, just like so many children I see every day. If they are ill I admit them; if not I give symptomatic advice. Every day I see these indefinable viral rashes.If measles is "going around" I would naturally be suspicious, but I wonder where this information comes from since I don't think it comes from GPs. I don't know any GP who has seen measles for years. Perhaps we have and didn't realise it.The single best piece of advice in t...Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.
- Page navigation anchor for Measles threat: what should we do?Measles threat: what should we do?Moten et al have astutely brought to our attention that measles remains a threat to the UK population. So what do we do about it? I was recently sitting in on a GP consultation regarding a 6 year old boy, accompanied by his mother and older brother, who was flagged on the system as missing his childhood vaccinations. The mother’s argument was that the older boy seemed to have suffered through many more viral infections than the younger one, which she concluded was due to the vaccinations.Unfortunately, this misconception and lack of understanding on how vaccines work is more common than we would like to see in the general population. Measles is, as the authors state, ‘easily preventable’. GPs have the privileged position of getting the opportunity to tackle the root of the problem; lack of knowledge. By educating parents on vaccinations, we can aim to increase uptake in children. After all, refusing the MMR vaccine not only may jeopardise herd immunity, but may lead to serious complications if infected; meningitis, deafness, encephalitis, orchitis which may lead to infertility. The list goes on.Competing Interests: None declared.