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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Hi everyone
I suppose I'm not the only one concerned about the recent outbreak. I had measles when I was 5. Does anyone know if it's true that if you've had measles it's likely that you will be immune to it? Or maybe it might be worth ringing my GP?
Maria
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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hi, no idea,i had them as a child also but one of the measeles goes to shingles when you are older,dorothy
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/29/2010 Posts: 264
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Good questions, same as you had it when I was five but would like to know if I still have immunity?
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/24/2013 Posts: 703 Location: Hexham
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Dorothy-W wrote:hi, no idea,i had them as a child also but one of the measeles goes to shingles when you are older,dorothy No it's Chicken-pox that can go to shingles. I have just asked my GP to arrange me a shingles vacc (I'll have to pay for it) because I have seen whta that can do to people. Paul Barrett
Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)
Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Yes, Paul is right it is chickenpox that goes to shingles. When I started on Enbrel I was asked if I had had chickenpox, I couldn't remember ever having it, I was tested for it and I have got immunity to it, so I imagine that I must of had it very mild when I was younger. Now, measles.....I've had it twice, but I do think that in normal circumstances once you've had it your immune to it. The reason that I say normal circumstances is because when I had it the first time I ended up in an isolation hospital in a coma suffering from Encephalitis. I was only 6 at the time, it was nearly 50 years ago. Measles can be really nasty believe me. I once rang a helpline up about it, asking question about me having RA and inflammation levels, was also told that with me having encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) it is probably why I have ended up in later life having RA! http://www.nhs.uk/condit...Pages/Introduction.aspx
Paula x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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cheers paul,i knew one of them did, i have seen shingles on my in laws and it was awfull i felt really sorry for them,its so sad when parents dont know the suffering their kids can have just because of their fears,my 2 kids now adults had every jag going,oh such a cruel mum,i had all the childhood illnesses that were about when i was young even mumps,measels gets in everywhere horrible, paula ,didnt think might relates to ra in later life,,dorothy
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/10/2010 Posts: 43 Location: Little Dewchurch, Hereford
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Just a word of caution for anyone thinking about asking for a shingles vaccine - or for MMR to protect against measles ( as well as mumps & rubella)
- the varicella zoster vaccine ( protects against chicken pox & shingles) as well as MMR are both live vaccines ie modifeid versions of the virus that casues the ilness, so are not sutable for those of us on immuno-supressant treatment like methotrexate, anti TNFs & rituximab etc - best to check with your Rheumy team before arranging to have one
On the other hand, if you aren't yet on these treatments but are definitely or likely to be going to start them soon, now might be the time to check immunity & ask about having them while you can safely & effectively do so ....
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/29/2010 Posts: 264
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Sally thanks that information its really useful, saves me a gp visit.
Many thanks
Sheila
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Thanks for posting that info- I had been considering asking for a shingles vaccination
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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My GP wants me to have a blood test to determine my immunity to measles - he has been wading through info sent to all GPs from the Health Protection Agency which recommends this. He is sending letters out to all his patients in similar circumstances, ie immuno-suppressed. Apparently this is because of the measles outbreak in Wales. I had measles as a child, and my grandchildren have had the MMR vaccination. Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Hi Kathleen, interested to hear your G.P. taking this so seriously.
Don't know if I've had measles or not. Certainly don't remember having it.
I've just presumed I've had childhood vaccines, were they available in my childhood I wonder?
Perhaps I should ask as I live in Wales.
Zena x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/24/2013 Posts: 703 Location: Hexham
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Presumably any one of of who is immuno-suppressed due to medication should be wary and get tested if they are not certain they have immunity. Paul Barrett
Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)
Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
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