We can stop the spread of measles

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The following public service announcement by LBJ Hospital Infection Preventionist and RN, Sharmain Mageo provides information on how you can protect your family from measles and prevent its spread.

If you suspect you or a family member may have measles……

Symptoms and Treatment of Measles:

Typically, early symptoms of measles will begin within 7-12 days of being exposed to an infected person. These symptoms can include a:

– fever that increases in a stepwise fashion, peaking as high as 103-105 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by
– cough,
– runny nose
– and/or redness and irritation of the eyes (also called conjunctivitis, or ‘pink eye’).

– Rash. Usually 3-5 days after the first signs of being sick,
a rash will start around the hairline and then spread to the face, neck and gradually move down the body. It may be itchy.

– Tiny white spots inside the mouth, called Koplik’s spots, will appear either shortly before or after the rash begins.

– Other symptoms may include scaly patches on the areas affected by the rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea (especially in infants) and swollen lymph nodes.

Please call DOH…@ their HOTLINE 684 633-5871/5872 immediately if you notice any of these signs and symptoms for further instructions.

Please avoid coming to the hospital. But …If you must….. we would appreciate it if you could call ahead and let our ER staff know your signs and symptoms and we can direct you quickly to be seen.

If you come to the hospital……(suspecting measles)…..without notifying …..

please let the ER clerk ( normally sitting behind the desk in the waiting room) know that you or whoever is sick suspect measles, ask for a face mask (available in waiting room), put it on then proceed to the tent set up at the side of the ER where you / family member will be seen straight away. If the measles suspect is a baby please cover baby’s head with a small blanket.

The aim of our frontline staff at the hospital is to have you seen quickly, and if well enough sent home on medication ( if needed), and then get your info immediately to DOH for community follow up. Measles is highly highly contagious and can spread rapidly ( as seen in Apia).

If you are sent home and told to self isolate yourself or measles suspect, please do follow these instructions. This is to prevent further spread to your family and community.

Please do not take our instructions or advice light heartedly. We have all read and seen the devastation this disease is causing in our sister island of Samoa. WE DO NOT WANT THAT.

We are doing our job…please help us by doing your job:

1. Vaccinate – listen for DOH vaccination times, places, etc
2. Cease all activities that call for crowd congregation
3. Keep your children at home

As with any virus, good personal hygiene is important to help prevent the spread of disease, including washing hands regularly, disposing of used tissues, and not sharing eating utensils or drinks. The best prevention, however, is vaccination.

PLease Please….. DO NOT bring your children to the Hospital if they are not sick. Children are not allowed on the wards and definitely not as Tausima’i. LBJ security will be looking out for children who are hanging around the hospital and asking parents to please take them home..so please make their job easier by not bringing them to the hospital unless sick. Security will also be enforcing LBJ visiting times . If you are sick please do not come and visit a sick loved one.  If a tausimai is ok by the physician please only 1 at bedside.

With everyone’s cooperation we can stop the spread of measles.