Silverdale Medical is open to receive new enrolments to the Practice
With a confirmed case of Measles in New Zealand we are on high alert.
If you think that you or a whÄnau member has symptoms of measles please do not come into the clinic. Call the nurse on 09 427 9997 to make an appointment to be seen in our Viral Assessment Clinic.
Measles Fact Sheet (PDF, opens in a new window).
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases in humans. It is spread through contact with infectious droplets from the nose or throat of a person with measles, often during the first 2–4 days of symptoms before the rash appears. One person with measles can pass the disease on to 12–18 people who have not already had measles or been immunised against the disease.
Complications from measles are common. They may be caused by the measles virus or a bacteria because the measles virus lowers the body’s ability to fight other infections. The risk of complications and death are higher in children under 5 years and adults over 20 years of age.
The illness starts around 10 days after you’ve been exposed, but the range can be 7-13 days from exposure.
It’s important to call before visiting your doctor because measles is easily passed on from one person to another. Phoning ahead helps ensure steps are taken to avoid you spreading measles in the waiting room.
If you or your whÄnau member is diagnosed with measles you should isolate at home for four days after the rash develops to prevent transmission to other people.
If you or a family member aren’t fully immunised and may have been in contact with someone with measles, you should stay at home and contact a health professional for advice.
Measles makes people feel very unwell. Children can be in bed for up to 5 days and will likely to be too sick to go to school for at least 2 weeks. It is a serious disease that can be life threatening. In the 2019 measles outbreak in New Zealand, more than 30 percent of people infected with measles were admitted to hospital.
The first dose of the MMR vaccine is due at 12 months of age and the second at 15 months of age.
The vaccine is free for everyone born from 1 January 1969. If you were born before then, you are likely to have had the disease as a child and therefore be immune
You shouldn’t get immunised against measles if you: are pregnant or have had an anaphylactic reaction to MMR or are immunocompromised.