Measles are very contagious. Here's how to avoid getting infected
New Jersey health officials are asking people who went to Shakira concert on May 16 at MetLife Stadium to monitor for measles symptoms because a person went to see the singer while infectious.
There is no confirmed outbreak in New Jersey, but the U.S. and North America are seeing high measles activity this year — including hundreds sickened by the highly infectious airborne virus in West Texas — and declining rates of people getting the vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses.
Schools and daycares are among the most common places for measles exposures, like one that happened in three western North Dakota public schools in early May that led to all unvaccinated students being held at home for 21 days under state law.
Here's what to know about the measles and how to protect yourself.
Most U.S. children get vaccinated against measles before entering public school, but increasing numbers of people skipping shots for religious or personal reasons have fueled outbreaks in the U.S. and abroad this year.
Overall, the U.S. has seen more than 1,000 measles cases across 30 states since the beginning of the year, and 11 states with outbreaks — defined as three or more related cases. The largest outbreak in the U.S. has been in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. There are also large outbreaks in Mexico and Canada.
It's a respiratory disease caused by one of the world's most contagious viruses. The virus is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It most commonly affects kids.
'On average, one infected person may infect about 15 other people,' said Scott Weaver, a center of excellence director for the Global Virus Network, an international coalition. 'There's only a few viruses that even come close to that.'
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.
The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.
There's no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.
People who have had measles once can't get it again, health officials say.
It usually doesn't kill people, but it can.
Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. But about 1 in 5 unvaccinated Americans who get measles are hospitalized, the CDC said. Pregnant women who haven't gotten the vaccine may give birth prematurely or have a low-birthweight baby.
Among children with measles, about 1 in every 20 develops pneumonia, the CDC said, and about one in every 1,000 suffers swelling of the brain called encephalitis — which can lead to convulsions, deafness or intellectual disability.
'Children develop the most severe illness," said Weaver, who works at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. "The cause of death in these kinds of cases is usually pneumonia and complications from pneumonia.'
The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
'Before a vaccine was developed in the 1960s, everybody got' measles, Weaver said. There is 'great data' on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, he said, because it's been around for decades.
'Any of these outbreaks we're seeing can easily be prevented by increasing the rate of vaccination in the community,' he said. 'If we can maintain 95% of people vaccinated, we're not going to see this happening in the future. And we've slipped well below that level in many parts of the country.'
Vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, and most states are below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergartners — the level needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks.
Not usually. People who are vaccinated are considered protected against measles for their lifetime.
Health care providers can test for antibodies and give boosters if needed.
Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don't need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from 'killed' virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.
People who have documentation that they had measles are immune, and those born before 1957 generally don't need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have 'presumptive immunity.'
Weaver said people at high risk for infection who got the shots many years ago may want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak. Those may include family members living with someone who has measles or those especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases because of underlying medical conditions.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Japan Today
19-07-2025
- Japan Today
More elderly Americans choking to death
Dr. Henry Heimlich describes the maneuver he developed to help clear obstructions from the windpipes of choking victims, during an interview in his home in Cincinnati on Feb 5, 2014. By MIKE STOBBE It was the scariest choking incident David Palumbo had ever seen. The 88-year-old man had been dining at a Providence, Rhode Island, Italian restaurant in September 2019. Now he was unconscious, with a piece of bread lodged in his windpipe. Precious minutes went by as first responders were unable to help him with CPR or the Heimlich maneuver. In an ambulance on the way to the hospital, the elderly man's skin was blue, and firefighters worried he was going to die. Palumbo — a fire department captain — used a scissors-like device called Magill forceps to pull the bread from the man's throat. 'We get a lot of calls in the city for choking,' many of which are resolved before emergency responders even get there, Palumbo added. 'This was by far the worst one I've been on in my career." Fortunately, the man survived and made a full recovery, he said. But many elderly people do not. Each year, choking claims the lives of more than 4,100 Americans who are 65 or older. It's the most vulnerable age group, accounting for about three-quarters of U.S. choking deaths, according to federal health statistics. The death rate has been relatively steady, but the number has risen, as the size of the nation's retirement-age population grows. In response, a number of companies are marketing antichoking devices to the elderly. Medical professionals have been debating whether to endorse the products, sold under the names LifeVac, SaveLix, VitalVac and the Dechoker. Dr. Nathan Charlton, a University of Virginia professor of emergency medicine who advises the American Red Cross on first aid, said there is limited evidence for the products and that the Red Cross is still evaluating them. Here's a look at choking and the best ways to prevent choking deaths. Choking occurs when food or some other object partially or totally blocks the windpipe, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs. Telltale signs include someone reaching for their neck and losing the ability to speak normally. Brain damage can occur after four minutes, and death can come just a few minutes later. Older adults are at higher risk for a number of reasons. As people get older, mouth and throat muscles can weaken. Older people also make less saliva. Some chronic diseases and medications can make swallowing even harder. Dentures can be a choking risk. Choking risk can be reduced by cutting food into small pieces, chewing food slowly, drinking plenty of liquids with meals, and not laughing or talking at the same time you are chewing and swallowing. When someone is choking, you can try perhaps the oldest form of first aid: back slaps. There's also the Heimlich maneuver, named after the doctor credited with devising it in the 1970s. It involves standing behind the choking person, wrapping your arms around their abdomen and — with a balled fist — thrusting inward and upward. The idea is that it forces air out of the lungs, and the obstruction with it. The American Red Cross recommends alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts in sets of five. That's for situations in which someone is around to help a choking victim. But what if they are alone? It is possible for someone try to self-administer a Heimlich by thrusting their abdomen against the back of a chair, Charlton said. Makers of some the newer anti-choking devices say that's where their products can make a difference. 'Elderly people probably are not capable of diving on a chair or counter,' said Arthur Lih, the founder and chief executive of LifeVac. They vary in design, but generally the devices look like a face mask attached to a tube or bellows, with a handle at the end. They typically sell for around $30 to $100. A choking person dons the mask, pushes down on the handle and then pulls up. That is supposed to create a suction that would pull out the blockage. Some research suggests at least certain devices can injure the tongue or cause bleeding and swelling in the throat. And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reports that some products did not generate enough suction and left people with bruising around the face, lips, and mouth. An injury report led the FDA to do an inspection and issue a warning letter to Dechoker in 2021. Manufacturers note their products are registered with the FDA, but that's not the same as an endorsement. Indeed, the agency last year issued a notice to consumers that said it has not approved antichoking devices sold over the counter, because their safety and effectiveness haven't been established. Lih said the FDA action was in response to the proliferation of antichoking devices entering the market that vary in design and quality. Right now, the consensus — even among antichoking device manufacturers — is that back blows and abdominal thrusts should always be tried first. (The forceps that Palumbo used are not recommended for the general public.) Lih said thousands of nursing homes and emergency response agencies have purchased the newer antichoking devices. One example: The police department in Acworth, Georgia, bought about 75 LifeVac devices after an officer last year used her personal device to save an elderly woman. They are now in every patrol car, said Sgt. Eric Mistretta. Manufacturers claim the products have saved thousands of lives across multiple countries, but it's tricky to document how well they actually work, said Dr. Cody Dunne, a University of Calgary researcher who has tried. The early evidence has come from case reports or small studies that used mannequins and cadavers. 'I think the case is definitely being built,' he said, but more rigorous research is needed. For example, a larger study could compare what happened during choking incidents at nursing homes that stock the devices with those that don't. Dunne noted, however, that evidence for the Heimlich maneuver and back slaps is evolving, too. He co-authored a study last year that found back blows worked better than the Heimlich or chest compressions. 'We're only now getting good evidence on the old choking techniques, let alone these new ones,' he said. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Japan Today
15-07-2025
- Japan Today
How weather changes cause migraines – a neurologist explains what you can do to ease the pain
By Danielle Wilhour 'Is it just me, or is there a storm coming?' If you are one of the 39 million Americans in the U.S. living with migraines, there's a good chance an intense headache will begin when the weather shifts. You aren't alone. Studies find 30% to 50% of people with migraines identify some type of weather change as a trigger, making it the most commonly reported migraine source. Yet, it's also one of the most puzzling. Some people are more sensitive to weather As a neurologist and headache specialist practicing in Colorado, a place with frequent weather shifts, patients often tell me that weather is one of their biggest migraine triggers. The results can disrupt work, school and social plans, and create a sense of helplessness. Doctors still don't fully understand why some brains are more sensitive to environmental changes. What we do know is that people with migraines have especially sensitive nervous systems, and that certain environmental changes – like shifts in air pressure, temperature, humidity and air quality – can activate pathways in the brain that lead to pain. Key ways weather can trigger migraines Weather triggers can vary from person to person, but there are a few common migraine culprits: Barometric pressure changes, or changes in atmospheric pressure, are among the most commonly cited triggers. When a storm system moves in, the air pressure drops. Some scientists believe this change may affect the pressure inside your head or how blood vessels in your brain dilate and constrict. One theory is that changes in barometric pressure may cause a small imbalance in the pressure between the inside of your skull and the outside environment. That might directly stimulate pain-sensitive nerves in the head, triggering inflammation and the start of a migraine. Others point to inflammation, the way the brain processes sensory input, and changes in serotonin levels – which play a key role in activating migraine. Temperature extremes, with very hot or very cold days, or sudden changes in temperature, can throw off the body's internal balance. High humidity or rapid shifts in moisture levels can have a similar effect. Air pollutants like ozone and nitrogen dioxide can cause inflammation in the nerves that play a role in migraines. Bright sunlight can also be especially bothersome, likely due to heightened sensitivity to light and an overactive visual processing system in the brain. Lightning and strong winds may also be linked to migraine attacks in certain individuals. In short, weather changes can act as stressors on a brain that's already wired to be more sensitive. The exact triggers and responses vary from person to person, but the research suggests that the interaction between weather and our biology plays a significant role for a subset of patients with migraines. Steps you can take to reduce the pain You can't change the weather, but you can be proactive. Here are a few tips to help weather-proof your migraine routine: -- Track your migraines and watch the forecast: Use a migraine diary or app to track when attacks occur, along with weather conditions. Patterns may emerge, such as attacks a day before rain or during temperature changes, that will allow you to adjust your schedule or medication plan. -- Develop healthy eating, sleeping and exercise habits: Dehydration, poor sleep and skipped meals can magnify the effects of weather triggers, so keeping your body on an even keel helps reduce vulnerability. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can also help. -- Create a migraine-friendly environment: On days when the sun is harsh or the humidity is high, stay inside. Sunglasses, eye masks or even blue-light glasses can be helpful. Some people find that certain earplugs are able to reduce pressure changes felt in the middle ear. -- Try meditation, mindfulness techniques or biofeedback, which teaches people to moderate their physiological responses, such as muscle responses and breathing. These strategies can help your nervous system become less reactive over time, which can be especially helpful when dealing with uncontrollable triggers like weather. -- Consider pretreatment: If you know a storm is likely to trigger your migraines, you can keep rescue medications close by or even preemptively treat yourself during weather events. -- Look into preventive treatment: If weather triggers frequent migraines, talk to your health care provider about preventive treatments – medications, supplements or neuromodulation devices – which can be used on a regular basis to reduce migraine occurrence. The bigger picture It's important to remember that while weather can be a trigger, it's rarely the only one. Migraine is usually the result of a perfect storm of factors: genetic susceptibility, hormones, stress, sleep, food and, yes, the weather. That's why identifying your personal triggers and building a plan, if necessary, with the support of a medical provider, can make a big difference in managing migraines. Weather-related migraine can be one of the most frustrating triggers because it feels completely out of your hands. However, with knowledge, tracking and the right treatment strategies, you can take back a sense of control. Danielle Wilhour is Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. External Link © The Conversation
Yomiuri Shimbun
15-07-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Heatwaves in Spain Caused 1,180 Deaths in past Two Months, Ministry Says
Amends number of deaths in same period last year to 114 (not 70) in paragraph 5 following revised ministry statement MADRID, July 14 (Reuters) – High temperatures caused 1,180 deaths in Spain in the past two months, a sharp increase from the same period last year, the Environment Ministry said on Monday. The vast majority of people who died were over 65 and more than half were women, the data it cited showed. The most affected regions were Galicia, La Rioja, Asturias and Cantabria – all located in the northern half of the country, where traditionally cooler summer temperatures have seen a significant rise in recent years. Like other countries in Western Europe, Spain has been hit by extreme heat in recent weeks, with temperatures often topping 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The 1,180 people who died of heat-related causes between May 16 and July 13 compared with 114 in the same period in 2024, the ministry said in a statement citing data from the Carlos III Health Institute. The number of deaths increased significantly in the first week in July. The data shows an event 'of exceptional intensity, characterized by an unprecedented increase in average temperatures and a significant increase in mortality attributable to heatwaves', the ministry said. In the period the data covers, there were 76 red alerts for extreme heat, compared with none a year earlier. Last summer, 2,191 deaths were attributed to heat-related causes in Spain, according to data from the Carlos III Health Institute. The data from Spain follows a rapid scientific analysis published on July 9 that said around 2,300 people died of heat-related causes across 12 European cities during a severe heatwave in the 10 days to July 2. It was not immediately clear whether the study conducted by scientists at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was using the same methodology as the Spanish data.
