Measles Epidemic on the Horizon?

It’s official the CDC has confirmed a measles milestone. In a statement released on Wednesday, April 24th, the agency said that as of 3 p.m., it counted 695 cases of the illness this year. We’ve surpassed the highest number on record since the disease was declared eliminated nationwide in 2000. Previously, the highest number of reported cases since elimination was 667 in 2014.

The states reporting measles cases are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.

The outbreak is affecting virtually every conceivable space where people eat, work, study and play! Some employers are even exploring the legalities of requiring that workers get the vaccine to protect against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) or prove their immunity from the illness. More than 200 students and staff at L.A. universities are quarantined and some states, like New York and Washington, have declared public health related states of emergency due to the outbreak of this highly contagious disease.

Contributing Factor Unvaccinated Communities?

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, if someone comes into direct contact, or touches the same objects or surfaces that the infected person has touched.  The disease can live for up to two hours on surfaces!

Most cases in the United States have emerged in communities with low rates of vaccination against the virus, according to public health officials.

One official is quoted as saying, “Outbreaks of measles occur when measles gets into these communities of unvaccinated people – the only way to protect against measles is to get vaccinated.”

The CDC has also noted that some outbreaks are linked to travelers who were infected and brought measles back from other countries, including Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines.

The CDC referenced the ongoing outbreak in New York on Wednesday stating, “The longer these outbreaks continue, the greater the chance measles will again get a sustained foothold in the United States.”

In contrast to antivaxxers, many who believe the vaccine causes autism and poses other high risks, experts recommend that children receive the vaccine in two doses: first between 12 months and 15 months of age and a second between 4- and 6-years-old.

The CDC does admit that as with any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of reactions, but these are usually mild and go away on their own. There is a “remote chance” of side effects and even serious injuries but the benefits outweigh the risks.

Better to Be Safe: Testing for Measles

It’s a simple blood test for MMR Meter Testing, and in just 3 – 5 business days, Any Lab Test Now can let you know your status.  According to the CDC, if one person is infected, 90% of the people who are not immune around them will become infected – it’s so easy to be proactive and safe.

Measles Symptoms

  • The measles causes symptoms that include a fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
  • The virus can lead to pneumonia, croup, diarrhea or swelling of the brain (encephalitis) which could cause seizures and brain damage.
  • Symptoms generally appear 7 to 14 days after a person has been infected.
  • A person with the measles is contagious 4 days before the rash appears, and up to 4 days after the rash appears. Because of this long quarantine period, those who believe their rash is “almost gone” perceive they are not contagious and may integrate back into their community, exposing others.

A measles infection in pregnant women can be passed from the mother to the baby and could cause premature birth or spontaneous abortions.  While this is rare in areas where early childhood vaccination is practiced, it is important to know that living in communities with high concentrations of unvaccinated individuals poses some risk.

Contact an Any Lab Test Now store near you today to get your MMR Meter Testing.

Facing An Adult Illness With Childhood Protection: Are You Still Safe?

It’s part of the back-to-school routine.

School supplies… check.

Lunchbox… check.

Immunization record… check.

For the majority of families, vaccinations are just a part of childhood. The shots provide children with immunity from everything from measles to chickenpox. Particularly the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (also known as German measles). All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws that require some immunizations before a child can enter childcare and public schools. But, by the time you’ve reached the age for college and other postsecondary educational institutions, you may very well have lost your records providing evidence of immunity.

Evidence of Immunity

That’s where Any Lab Test Now® can help. If you’ve lost your evidence of immunity records that are required by many colleges and even some professions, there’s an easy way to prove your immunity. It’s called the MMR Titer. The MMR Titer is a simple blood test that checks if you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella by measuring your antibody levels. The results demonstrate whether or not your immune system has the capability to respond to an infection from one of the viruses.

Timing is Important

The timeline is important as it pertains to the MMR Titer. After having your blood drawn at your local Any Lab Test Now, it will generally take between 24 to 72 business hours to get your results. This is important because if your results show that you have low to no immunity, you’ll need to arrange to receive two doses of the MMR vaccines, separated by at least 28 days.

Who Might Need an MMR Titer Test

Most people know that school-aged children will need to provide proof of vaccination, but many may not realize that it’s not just kids that require a record. You will need to provide evidence of immunity or the results of an MMR Titer if:

  • You are a student at a post-high school educational institution.
  • You are a person who works in certain settings, such as hospitals or medical clinics, and are at risk for increased exposure.

The CDC also recommends that people who plan to travel internationally make certain that they are protected before traveling. Doctors also recommend that women of childbearing age make certain of their coverage before getting pregnant.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE MMR VACCINE! According to the CDC, a few people who get two doses of MMR vaccine may still get measles, mumps or rubella if they are exposed to the viruses. Experts aren’t sure why, but suspect that it could be that the immune system did not respond to the original vaccine as well as it should have.

Take Control of Your Health

Your local Any Lab Test Now makes it easy. There are friendly experts there to answer any of your questions and provide you with the results you need to take your next steps forward. Getting through childhood is hard work — let us make sure your childhood immunizations are still working as hard as you are.

Titers Testing Provides Proof of Immunization

The school year is approaching and with it comes excitement for those students entering a new school. For Mom and Dad, however, making sure students are properly enrolled can be stressful! One hurdle can be that requirements for enrolling often include documented immunization records: Parents must present proof that their children are immunized against various diseases. If for some reason parents don’t have these records, laboratory tests can be performed to quickly and easily provide the documentation that the school requires. These are called titer tests.

Titer Testing Not Just for Students

Of course, it’s not only students who need documentation to support their immunization status. There are many instances when this may be required, such as:

  • Employment in the education system
  • Employment or study in the healthcare system
  • Employment in the veterinary field
  • Participating in athletic programs or various activities
  • Pending travel plans

What Is a Titer Test?

The tests examine a blood sample to determine if it contains antibodies of a specific disease. The blood would only contain these antibodies if they had been released at one point in response to that disease’s virus or bacteria. This means that someone who has the antibodies in their blood has been exposed to the disease already – either naturally or through vaccination – and is now immune to the disease.

At Any Lab Test Now, we offer a variety of titer tests, including:

  • The MMR Titer tests for immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. This is a great option for anyone studying or working in a medical setting where you are at a higher risk of being exposed to these diseases.
  • The Varicella Titer tests for immunity to the varicella zoster virus — more commonly known as chickenpox and shingles.
  • Hepatitis B. The Hepatitis B Titer tests for Hepatitis B, inflammation of the liver. This can be contracted through exposure to infected blood from another person, among other causes, so those working or studying in the healthcare field are at a higher risk of coming into contact with blood infected with hepatitis and should consider testing for all three types (A, B and C).
  • The Rabies Titer monitors rabies antibody levels to ensure you are not infected with the rabies virus.

And More!

Any Lab Test Now offers hundreds of testing options, with convenience and affordability in mind. With no appointment necessary, wait times under 15 minutes and results back in 24–72 hours for titer tests, you’ll be glad you chose Any Lab Test Now to help with your proof of immunizations and other testing needs. After all, whether you’re diving into a new career or juggling kids, you have enough on your plate without wondering about proper immunizations.

Let Any Lab Test Now help you out today. Make an appointment online or call our experts to discuss what testing options are right for you.

Me and the Measles

My name is Terri McCulloch and I am the Vice President, Sales & Marketing for ANY LAB TEST NOW®.  Don’t let the title scare you – I’ve actually got a personal story that I thought might help some of you with questions about measles, vaccinations and your own immunity.

As you’ve seen in the news, 2015’s outbreak of the year so far has been the measles, a disease that was declared eradicated from the U.S.in 2000.  It is one of the easiest to contract – living on surfaces and in the air up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves that area.

So, after hearing the news, I called my mother.  I now have to admit I was born in 1963 and almost 52 years old; my mother is 76.  I had a number of reasons for questioning my immunity:

  1. I have a grandson with Down Syndrome.  Children with Down’s have lower immunity, even though he has been vaccinated.

  2. I have another grandson that is 9 months old who has not been vaccinated – he actually is not old enough for his first MMR vaccine yet.  My daughter is what I lovingly call a “millennial hippie” – she is a vegetarian, eats organic, has rain barrels and a garden in her backyard, and cares about people and the earth.  She has concerns about vaccines so after consulting with her naturopathic pediatrician, they decided my grandson would not receive his immunizations until after age 2.

  3. I’ve read  that vaccines given between 1957 and 1971 were not as effective as vaccines available now.

  4. I travel – a lot.  Usually 2 to 3 weeks a month.  When I am not traveling, I am meeting people.  So, as you see, I can be a likely carrier of anything and everything  unknowingly from people around me – even people who left less than 2 hours ago with the measles and may not yet know they are infected….

The last thing I wanted to do was get my grandsons sick.  So, let’s get back to my mom.  The conversation went like this:

Me: “Mom, did I ever have the measles growing up?”

Mom: “I think so, but I don’t remember.”

Me: “Did you get me vaccinated?”

Mom: “I don’tknow butI think so.  You’re in your 50s – I don’t have your shot records!”

Big question mark….

I had to make a decision – get a measles or MMR vaccine booster, or check to see if I am immune.  I made the personal decision to check my immunity and if I’m a walking hazard, I’ll then get vaccinated.  I got my MMR titer, a blood test that tests for immunities to the measles, mumps and rubella, yesterday.  I should have my results in just a few days.  As a grandmother, I already feel a lot better, knowing I will know for sure before something happens.