Thinking of becoming pregnant amid Texas' measles outbreak? Put prevention on your list.
Texas' current outbreak of measles should be of particular concern to people currently pregnant or planning a pregnancy in the near future.
Currently 146 people have tested positive with measles in and around Lubbock, with one death. A person from that area traveled to San Marcos on Feb. 14 and exposed people at Twin Peaks restaurant and Texas State University. In San Antonio, that same person went to the University of Texas at San Antonio, the River Walk and a restaurant in Live Oak on Feb. 15. On Feb. 16, that person also went to a Buc-ee's in New Braunfels.
Previously the Houston area had two cases in January.
The vast majority of the people in the Lubbock area were previously unvaccinated for the highly contagious disease that is known for its rash, but starts like many other respiratory viruses: cough, runny nose and fever as well as conjunctivitis.
More: Measles cases in Texas climbs to 146 with 20 hospitalized, officials say
With this airborne disease, 90% of the people who come in contact with it who do not have the immune protection of antibodies from a vaccine will contract the disease. It is one of the most contagious diseases.
Antibodies from vaccines can wane, which means you might think you have protection from the disease but then become infected with it because the vaccine antibodies have worn off.
Obstetricians and fertility doctors are particularly interested in patients' antibodies to measles because of the potential risk to the baby and the mother during pregnancy.
Dr. Ikhena-Abel, a fertility doctor at Aspire Austin, recommends that anyone considering a pregnancy get their levels of antibodies for measles, chicken pox and rubella, also known as German measles, before getting pregnant. Those three diseases can harm pregnant women and their babies by increasing the risks of:
Miscarriage
Fetal death after 20 weeks
Preterm delivery
Low birthweight
Pneumonia for the mother and the need to be hospitalized for it
Maternal death during pregnancy
Because these vaccines are live vaccines, there is a risk of a mild form of infection in people with weakened immune systems, which pregnancy naturally creates. It is not recommended for pregnant people.
Doctors like Ikhena-Abel encourage patients to get their antibodies checked before pregnancy and get a new vaccine if the immunity is not sufficient about four weeks before becoming pregnant.
Women are naturally checked for these antibodies during the first set of labs drawn during pregnancy. That is not to receive a new vaccine, but to know what to rule out or suspect if a mother becomes sick during pregnancy.
A fever of 101 degrees or higher
A rash lasting more than three days, which typically begins at the hairline and progresses down the body
Cough
Runny nose
Conjunctivitis in the eyes
Bluish-white spots in the back of the mouth or red-rose background
Contact your primary care provider or you can go through Austin Public Health. You can get vaccinated as an adult if you have not been vaccinated previously.
Austin Public Health offers vaccines for free or at reduced rates for children and adults who do not have insurance or have Medicaid or are underinsured. The typical cost is $13 for children and $25 for adults. You can make an appointment at 512-972-5520 for either of the clinics at 405 W. Stassney Lane in South Austin or the 7500 Blessing Ave. in Northeast Austin.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Before pregnancy, get measles antibodies checked amid Texas outbreak
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