Measles outbreak

[Vqueen]

Hi, not sure if I'm being silly so looking for abit of reassurance. I'm on rituximab, azathioprine and prednisolone. I'm up-to-date with vaccinations bit concerned about the measles outbreak in my area. Am I at risk due to being immunocompromised?

[Grizzly-bear]

If there’s a bad measles outbreak and you’re not already wearing a mask when out and about then I’d suggest doing so, as it’s very contagious when airborne. The risks are a bit unknown on rituximab, but the effects of all vaccines are diminished at different levels for different people, so you might have a weak response to measles.

[Investigator1]

Hi Vqueen, nice to hear from you again. Yes you need to be alert and aware but try not to let it worry you. As Grizzley says it is highly contagious but like Covid, outside it much less of a risk. My advice would be to do what you did in lockdown, if you can (it’s something I do because it’s the way my brain works) find out what the rate of infection is in your area and compare it with Covid rates and what you did then. It will help you gauge things better. It’s like if I go on holiday I look at infection rates and vaccination rates for where I am going and if it’s worse I don’t go or I take extra precautions. Sorry I can’t help further. Nick.

[Chris-Bromsgrove]

I started to ask similar questions a few years ago when chickenpox was going round my grandchildren. I was told by the nurse specialist that sometimes your antibodies against chickenpox, that you develop as a child, can start to disappear in old age. However this is not common. I had a blood test which confirmed the chickenpox antibody was still present. I was told I had nothing to worry about. I imagine this is just the same for other childhood illnesses such as measles. I understand there is anecdotal evidence that exposure to chickenpox can bring on a dose of shingles but thos is not clinically proven

[Vqueen]

Thanks all, I'm just so glad that our children are up to date with their vaccinations. Just wish everyone realised the importance of getting their children vaccinated buts that's a completely different debate altogether.

[oldtimer2]

I agree that it's sometimes difficult to keep it in proportion! It's a very, very, long time since I had measles, and my children and grandchildren had their MMR.

I try to keep in mind that life is for living and if I keep away from other people I'm not going to have an enjoyable life.

My steroids have been put up recently and so I'm more at risk. I keep my exposure to the general population short, but risk my regular activities as I have found that the social groups to which I belong are fairly considerate - not coming to activities with infections, for example.

As others have said, take sensible precautions... and keep encouraging others to be protected when they can be.

[trijaws]

Anytime you're on ritux, you are immunosuppressed. Wear a mask whenever venturing outside or visiting others - and if others are visiting you, request them to also mask up. Don't worry yourself over it, just be smart and safe. Good Luck.