Latest news with #ChildrenHospitalColorado
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
As Colorado measles cases grow, doctors share who does, and doesn't, need boosters
As measles cases in Colorado continue to rise, doctors are sharing how to know if you need a booster or not. Another measles case was reported in Colorado on Thursday, it is the 7th confirmed case of measles in the state. Officials said this case is related to two others we reported this week. The three people were on the same flight into Denver International Airport earlier this month. The Colorado State Health Department confirmed the most recent case was a vaccinated adult who was a passenger on a Turkish Airlines flight that flew to Denver on May 13. A new Turkish Airlines Airbus A350-900 aircraft Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images An out-of-state traveler and a 5-year-old child from Arapahoe County are the other two people on that flight who have been confirmed with the disease. That child was unvaccinated and is currently being treated at Children's Hospital Colorado. This third person, also an Arapahoe County resident, was in several public spaces in Denver, Aurora, Greenwood Village, and Evergreen while infectious between May 22 and 26. Seven cases may not seem like a big surge, but in 2024, there were zero cases in the state. After the measles vaccine was introduced, the disease was considered almost eradicated. With a recent surge in cases, it's leading to many questions about who may need a booster. Doctors said, unless you are unvaccinated, don't stress out too much. Boxes and vials of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella Virus vaccine Jan Sonnenmair / Getty Images People born before 1957 are considered immune because the disease was so prevalent that they are presumed to have been exposed. In 1963, the vaccine was introduced, and anyone who got it should have some level of immunity. If you have had two doses of the live vaccine, doctors said you should be ok. And if it's been a while since you've had a vaccine? Well, doctors said that's ok too. "Those people who have had 2 doses of that vaccine virus, that is almost completely enough to prevent against measles for the rest of your life," said Dr. Dan Pastula, Head of Neuro Infectious Diseases at UCHealth. If you are concerned or you are at a high risk for exposure, you should talk to your healthcare provider. "You can get tested to see if you have immunity. And if you don't, then you could get a booster. But for the average person, no, we don't need to have a booster shot," said Dr. Bob Belknap, the Director of the Public Health Institute at Denver Health. Tests for measles immunity measure IgG antibody levels and can be done by a primary care physician and CVS MinuteClinics. Doctors said if you've never had measles, you don't want it. "Symptoms for measles usually start out with a pretty high fever, along with cough, runny nose, red, itchy, watery eyes. And then the rash comes, and the rash typically starts on the face or near the hairline and then spreads down the body. It's uncomfortable. It's itchy. It can be painful. And in, in the worst case, it can lead to pneumonias, problems in the lungs or even swelling around the brain," said Belknap. Both doctors agree immunity is the only way to avoid measles, which you can get one of two ways. Surviving measles or a vaccine, and the vaccine is the least troublesome way to gain immunity. "For anyone who is unvaccinated, it's not worth taking that risk. It's better off to just get the vaccine," said Belknap. There has been a rumor going around that vitamin A is effective at preventing measles and treating it. Doctors said that's not true, and you can give yourself liver damage if you take too much.
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Unvaccinated Colorado child tests positive for measles after travel, visited Aurora stores while contagious
An unvaccinated 5-year-old child in Arapahoe County has tested positive for measles, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Health officials said the child recently traveled internationally with family to several countries experiencing ongoing measles outbreaks. The child is currently hospitalized, health officials say. According to CDPHE, before showing symptoms, the child visited several public places in Aurora while infectious: Location Date/time Children's Hospital Colorado Emergency Department 13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora, CO 80045 Thursday, May 22 6 to 10 p.m. Walgreens 18461 E. Hampden Ave. Aurora, CO 80012 Friday, May 23 10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Walgreens 18461 E. Hampden Ave. Aurora, CO 80012 Sunday, May 25 10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Sam's Club 880 S. Abilene St. Aurora, CO 80012 Sunday, May 25 Noon to 3:30 p.m. Natural Grocers 3440 S. Tower Rd. Aurora, CO 80013 Sunday, May 25 6 to 8:10 p.m. Children's Hospital Colorado Emergency Department 13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora, CO 80045 Monday, May 26 1:10 to 7:15 a.m. Children's Hospital Colorado Emergency Department 13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora, CO 80045 Monday, May 26 to Tuesday, May 27 9:25 p.m. to 4:15 a.m. Health officials urge anyone who may have been exposed to check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms, including high fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash that usually starts on the face. A 5-year-old child visited several locations in Aurora before testing positive for measles, but while infectious, in May 2025, according to public health officials. CBS The U.S. has recorded the most measles cases in a single year since a 2019 wave, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows. The majority of the infections have been reported in an outbreak in West Texas that has led to the deaths of two children. Of the more than 1,000 cases nationwide, this latest one is the sixth to have been identified in Colorado. More on measles in Colorado and what you can do to protect yourself.
