Everyone thinks they have the measles

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Specializes in ER.

I've had many parents bring their kids into the ER lately with suspected measles. No fever, and it seems like the 'rash' is barely perceptible to the naked eye.

Yes, there is a measles outbreak in my state, but of course the media has whipped some people up into a state of hysteria.

Yes, I love to make fun of the media, I think I've done that before. I can't help it I guess.

I do educate the parents that these cases are predominantly in the unvaccinated portion of the population, and because your child is up to date she is highly likely to be protected.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Well at least the parents care enough to have it checked out. I read an article about a man that was arrested (WI I think) that knowingly went to work out at the gym after his MD told him to stay away from people because he would/could expose them to the measles. Some people are just plain selfish!

But I agree with your comment about the media, please just stop the crazy train!!

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Specializes in ICU.

I would 100% rather see people come in and get checked out and end up not having it, versus pretending they don't have it and going about their lives in public infecting others.

The media is a hot mess when it comes to healthcare info for sure. But I guess at least they're slightly balancing out the antivaxers on social media?

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I agree....along the same lines..everybody with a cough and cold has the flu! Maybe, just maybe, they have a slight cough, slight nasal congestion, absolutely no fever, but they tell everybody they have the flu.

And the stomach flu????? Am I crazy or is stomach "flu" just viral gastritis and nothing to do with the flu virus....Where does the public come up with these things?

Of course they get more sympathy (from non nursing personal) telling friends they have the flu...just saying they have a cold or upset stomach, (nothing to do with eating chips and coke for lunch), doesn't get much sympathy, at least from me.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
2 hours ago, brownbook said:

I agree....along the same lines..everybody with a cough and cold has the flu! Maybe, just maybe, they have a slight cough, slight nasal congestion, absolutely no fever, but they tell everybody they have the flu.

And the stomach flu????? Am I crazy or is stomach "flu" just viral gastritis and nothing to do with the flu virus....Where does the public come up with these things?

Of course they get more sympathy (from non nursing personal) telling friends they have the flu...just saying they have a cold or upset stomach, (nothing to do with eating chips and coke for lunch), doesn't get much sympathy, at least from me.

True!! Here's my pet peeve attention seeker..."walking pneumonia!" AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!

I guarantee you if these people were paying a 500.00 ER copay they might think about making an appointment with their PCP if they're worried about measles...or stomach flu!!

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Specializes in ER.
2 hours ago, OldDude said:

True!! Here's my pet peeve attention seeker..."walking pneumonia!" AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!

I guarantee you if these people were paying a 500.00 ER copay they might think about making an appointment with their PCP if they're worried about measles...or stomach flu!!

Truth.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 3/6/2019 at 9:28 AM, Emergent said:

I've had many parents bring their kids into the ER lately with suspected measles.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
13 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

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Be careful...PDCA, left untreated, can develop into more serious, even life changing, forms of comic art. Take care of yourself!!

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
22 hours ago, OldDude said:

."walking pneumonia!" AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!

flu!!

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Specializes in ER.

We get a lot of young men in a panic about numbness in their right hand. I think to myself that a girlfriend could cure that problem. ?

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Mumps making the rounds in Philadelphia college -16 so far, extending to community due to spring break.

https://6abc.com/health/mumps-cases-from-temple-outbreak-spreading/5174397/

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

Most of the media reports I have seen emphasize prevention and vaccination. I can't fault a concerned parent worrying that their child could have a potentially fatal infection. Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments other than supportive care for measles. So if your kiddo already has it, too late, and now you have exposed hundreds of people in the clinic or ED.

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