tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57949914622581095222024-03-04T21:54:37.745-08:00Mom On VaccinesSabrina M Bowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04175443689351953884noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794991462258109522.post-18831599259343577912014-06-09T18:46:00.000-07:002014-06-09T18:46:01.824-07:00Measles (Rubeola) Overview<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Measles
(Rubeola)</b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>What is
Measles?</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Measles is a
highly contagious viral infection cased by a single stranded RNA
Morbillivirus in the paramyxovirus family. The virus normally grows
in the cells that line the back of the throat and lungs. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>What are the
Signs and Symptoms of this Illness?</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Symptoms
usually begin between 7 and 14 days after initial infection. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Common
Symptoms:<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WoqUnF9jF9mbg0y0wKqifsrqc-91DyVtFoeQ5dk35hGWnMNyU3_-_5D4qdpnC-9ucX_KTERui-c294-hzNiBeOKMTpn_JQTfOcWHG5zBi2IjlZ3Z9dwfUz3Ikl0hNwiKH8kg9cbcmjo/s1600/image012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WoqUnF9jF9mbg0y0wKqifsrqc-91DyVtFoeQ5dk35hGWnMNyU3_-_5D4qdpnC-9ucX_KTERui-c294-hzNiBeOKMTpn_JQTfOcWHG5zBi2IjlZ3Z9dwfUz3Ikl0hNwiKH8kg9cbcmjo/s1600/image012.jpg" height="146" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koplik's Sopts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Mild
to Moderate Fever</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cough</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Runny
Nose</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sore
Throat</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Conjunctivitis
(red/watery eyes)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Koplik's
Spots (tiny white spots inside and around the mouth)<br /> Usually
appear 2-3 days after first symptoms appear, may remain until 2-3
days after rash <br /> disappears. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">These
occur in 60-70% of infections.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Blotchy
Red or Red Brown Rash<br /> Usually appear 3-5 days after first
symptoms</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Rash
usually begins at or near the hairline and spreads downward to the
rest of the body. When rash appears fever may spike as high as
104<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">°</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">F.
Rash may last as long as 5-6 days before beginning to fade.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Serious
Symptoms:<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtphDYys5bido9hBvsnrM_KbRrSSp_XHdVZYQYrQdWe1TKWNewtgq7_MtxgBt-MLh9ExDbko0D0fyYhzVYrNumQzFefboszLiNT9mO5SDBfVqwCsXZaBO44BeCpQGrcmm4bC-kNfNTlrA/s1600/measles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtphDYys5bido9hBvsnrM_KbRrSSp_XHdVZYQYrQdWe1TKWNewtgq7_MtxgBt-MLh9ExDbko0D0fyYhzVYrNumQzFefboszLiNT9mO5SDBfVqwCsXZaBO44BeCpQGrcmm4bC-kNfNTlrA/s1600/measles.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measles Rash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Ear
Infection: 1/10</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Pneumonia:
< 1/20</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Diarrhea*:
8/100</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Blindness
(Xerophthalmia)**: < 1/100</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Encephalitis***:<br />
Acute Demyelinating Encephalitis: 1/1000<br /> Subacute Sclerosing
Panencephalitis: 1/25,000<br /> Inclusion Body Encephalitis </span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Complications
are most common in children under 5 years of age, and adults over 20.
Individuals without adequate healthcare, who are suffering from
malnutrition, a compromised or inferior immune system (from HIV or
other diseases), or with a Vitamin A deficiency are at the highest
risk over all. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">*Diarrhea
due to secondary bacterial or protozoal infections is common. This
is particularly significant in malnourished individuals. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">**Post
Measles Blindness occurs in developing countries in approximately 1%
of all infected children. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Xerophthalmia
is caused by a severe Vitamin A deficiency which stops the eyes from
producing tears. If left untreated, it can lead to corneal
ulceration and blindness. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Treatments
include artificial tears, increasing environmental humidity and
wearing special glasses when outside. High dose Vitamin A
supplements have been shown to inhibit progress of the condition.
Once corneal ulceration takes place, eye surgery is the only option
to return sight. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">***
Three forms of Encephalitis are associated with this disease:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Acute
Demyelinating Encephalitis: Occurs within 2 weeks of the rash
appearing, usually with seizures. Often accompanied by fever,
irritability, headache, and changing consciousness. May progress to
coma. It is believed to be a Neuro-allergic process. It carries a
10-15% mortality rate and 25% of survivors have permanent brain
damage. Treatment is supportive with no clear benefit from
Dexamethasone (an Antiinflamatory & Immunosuppressant Steroid)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Subacute
Sclerosing Panencephalitis: More common in boys where the initial
infection occurs before age 2. Onset is usually between 5 and 10
years after an apparently normal measles recovery. Causes
disturbance in intellect and personality, behavioral disorders and
worsening school work. This is usually followed by seizures, signs
of extrapyamidal and pyramidal disease (degenerative diseases that
affect the brain & motor functions) and finally decerebrate
rigidity (involuntary flexion or extension of arms & legs) and
death. This condition is untreatable. </span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Inclusion
Body Encephalitis: Occurs in those with compromised immune systems,
usually 1-7 months following exposure to Measles and is progressive
over months. It is largely fatal, approximately 15% of survivors
will have long term neurological complications. <br /><br />Long term
Neurological Complications and Brain Damage Symptoms from
Encephalitis may include:</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Deafness</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Seizure
Condition</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Mental
Retardation</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Average
Total Infection & Recovery Time:</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Infection
to Recovery time varies greatly. From as little as 15 days, to as
long as 28 days.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Death Rate &
Causes:</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximately
1-2 of every 1000 cases end in Death. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Respiratory
or Neurological complications or both are most commonly noted as the
primary cause of death in nearly 90% of cases. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
children under 5, death is most commonly attributed to respiratory
problems. While deaths in the 10-14 year age range is most commonly
caused by encephalitis or other neurologic complications.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximately
17% of individuals who die from Measles have some underlying disease
at the time of death – this percentage increases with age. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>How is this
Illness Transmitted?</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Airborne
via respiratory droplets. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Virus
can also remain transmissible for up to two hours on surfaces,
removing the need for direct person to person contact. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Measles
can not be carried by animals. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>What is the
Infectious Period?</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">From
4 days before, until about 4 days after the rash appears. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>How Common
Is This Illness?</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>United
States: </b></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">An
average of 60 cases are reported per year. However recent outbreaks
have increased that number in recent years. In 2013, 189 cases were
reported. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Worldwide:</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">An
estimated 20 Million cases of Measles occur each year throughout the
world. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>What
Treatments are Available and How Effective Are They?</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">There
are no Measles Specific Treatments available. Any treatment given is
for symptom relief only. The virus will run it's course in due time.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Vitamin
A has been shown to help prevent eye damage and blindness. Vitamin A
supplements have also been shown to reduce the number of deaths from
measles by 50% in developing countries. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Sever
complications can be avoided through good nutrition, adequate fluid
intake, and treatment of dehydration when it occurs. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Eye
& ear infections, as well as pneumonia can be treated with
Antibiotics. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">References:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Centers
for Disease Control: <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/overview.html">http://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/overview.html</a>
(2014)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">World
Health Organization:
<a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/">http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/</a>
(2014)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">American
Journal of Diseases of Children (March 1975)</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Patient.co.uk:
<a href="http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/measles-pro">http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/measles-pro</a>
(2014)</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Mishra
A, Mishra S, Jain P, et al; Measles related complications and the
role of vitamin A supplementation. Indian J Pediatr. 2008
Sep;75(9):887-90. Epub 2008 Jun 21:
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18568439?dopt=Abstract">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18568439</a></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Huiming
Y, Chaomin W, Meng M; Vitamin A for treating measles in children.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Oct 19;(4):CD001479:
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16235283">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16235283</a>
</span></span>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
Sabrina M Bowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04175443689351953884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794991462258109522.post-36349407719170249532014-06-09T18:24:00.000-07:002014-06-09T18:24:23.962-07:00Sabina's Pennsylvania School Exemption LetterI have two children in Public School (so far) and I have successfully claimed a "Religious" exemption with each of them. With my oldest I was still required to fill out the Standard Exemption Paper, but I was able to attach it to this letter for inclusion in his file. With my second child I was able to skip the Standard Exemption and instead include only this letter. <br />
<br />
Feel free to use this letter as is, or personalize to fit your needs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sabrinambowen.yolasite.com/resources/PAVaccineExepmtionLetter.pdf" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPHWWrAITAJcvghZipCupm4vZBi1eYMV81Km3IUGpY-z5VWBIneg7ZeeCJLQzZjcd4JHmEStHaHySSrZuRuTuAtFQi7Ob0ipp7pYJ7roW6QLwSfcIIstZH7aFXTjMjaR6ussn3vmB7AM/s1600/letter.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sabrinambowen.yolasite.com/resources/PAVaccineExepmtionLetter.pdf">Click HERE for PDF</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It reads as below:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>*** *** ***</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Immunization Exemption Letter </b></div>
<br />
(Current Date 00/00/2014)<br />
<br />
To Whom It May Concern:<br />
Re: Religious Exemption<br />
<br />
I, ___________________________________, being the legal guardian of ________________________________ object to the immunization requirements as outlined by the Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as defined in 28 PA. CODE CH.23 on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief as outlined in section § 23.84 Exemption from immunization.<br />
<br />
If you need a copy of the School Immunizations Rules and Regulations [28 PA. CODE CH. 23] for your records, I will be happy to provide you a copy.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
§ 23.84. Exemption from immunization. [28 PA. CODE CH.23]<br />
(a) Medical exemption. Children need not be immunized if a physician or the physician's designee provides a written statement that immunization may be detrimental to the health of the child. When the physician determines that immunization is no longer detrimental to the health of the child, the child shall be immunized according to this subchapter.<br />
<i><b>(b) Religious exemption. Children need not be immunized if the parent, guardian or emancipated child objects in writing to the immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.</b></i>Sabrina M Bowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04175443689351953884noreply@blogger.com0