Measles increasingly common in adults

Measles are more common in young adults

07/10/2011

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), more and more adults are suffering from measles. Although the viral infectious disease is actually a typical childhood disease, the number of adult patients has risen steadily in recent years throughout Germany. Experts are responsible for the rapid increase vaccine fatigue in the population.

Until a few years ago, measles were still a typical disease of children. For some time, measles has also been catching more and more people in adulthood. According to evaluations by the Robert Koch Institute, more than 1,500 people have already contracted measles in the first nine months of the year. Last year there were only 780 and in 2009 about 507 measles patients. In 2001, the institute reported 6037 measles cases. According to the Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ), according to available statistics, many people in adulthood were affected by the infectious disease. Most of those affected did not have vaccine protection. „Measles are therefore called children's disease because they are so highly contagious that the disease used to appear almost exclusively in childhood“, explains Dr. med. Martin Terhardt from the Association of Youth Physicians. When measles vaccination was introduced, the disease was successfully reduced in incidence. Accordingly, today are over „90 percent of infants vaccinated against measles“. Implücken in particular young adults, so here is also the rate of new disease „still very tall“ as the pediatrician explained.

The German Employees Health Insurance (DAK) had determined last year that the number of measles sufferers in the in-house patient data has risen to 360. Half of all DAK patients were already adulthood during the infection. Only about 50 percent of the patients were younger than 18 years of age. Adults usually suffer from a measles infection more severe symptoms than children. In adults, in contrast to children, complications such as encephalitis or pneumonia are more common. Elisabeth Thomas reported.

The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) at the RKI recommends the triple vaccine against mumps, rubella and measles (MMR), especially in people born after 1970, who have not previously had measles and who have been vaccinated only or not at all.

Measles are not a bagatelle disease, as many think. The infection can be associated with serious complications, as school doctors warn. „Measles are often accompanied by lung and eye infections. Particularly feared is an inflammation of the brain, because the so-called measles encephalitis can also be fatal“, says doctor Terhard. During a visit to the doctor, the current vaccination status should be checked especially in young adults. Doctors are also called to ask their patients about this.

Measles patients show the typically existing red spots on an infection. In addition, those affected suffer from fever and a mostly very poor general health. Because it is a virus-induced disease, there is no specific therapy for measles viruses. In case of illness, bed rest must be observed. At best, for symptoms such as coughing or fever, soothing medicines are administered.

Vaccination critics criticize possible vaccine damage by the triple vaccination. In recent years, there have been some studies of potential vaccine reactions that indicate that the vaccine may cause reactions such as fatigue, headache, fever, and local injection site complaints such as redness, swelling, or pain. In very rare cases severe vaccine damage, such as pronounced allergic reactions, has been reported. The risk assessment should consider the consequences of measles and possible vaccine damage. In general, the health authorities are in favor of vaccination, as the consequences of measles are far more serious than possible side effects. (Sb)

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Picture: Gerd Altmann