Do adults get measles?

[juuule]

Just wondering whether adults get measles. With the news that measles is on the increase and people are being advised to get children vaccinated against it, I just started to wonder why adults aren't advised to be vaccinated too.
I've never had measles and I've never been vaccinated (the vaccine didn't exist when I was younger).
Am I, and people like me, at risk of measles?

Are you sure their weren't vaccines around, I'm 36 and was vaccinated as a child not via the MMR but there was a measles vaccine then, they've been around for decades.

If you come into contact with measles and you haven't been vaccinated (or if you have been vaccinated but are very unlucky) then you could get it.

Most adults have either had it or have been vaccinated. You have to wait for the generation of children of spineless parents who are anti vax to filter through to see adult sufferrers.

I don't think I've been vaccinated against it. I'm 49. My sister had measles as a child but I didn't catch it.

Presumably it's a lot worse to catch it as an adult. Anyone know?

Yes adults get measles. They are stronger than children though so maybe that's why they're not being called.

You should have been vaccinated as a child though if you grew up in UK - how old are you?

Hmm don't know juuule but perhaps you are resistant as you didn't catch it. Measles can cause blindness & brain damage so I think children are more vulnerable from it then adults.

If you are 49, you might have had it naturally. I am 43 and was vaccinated, but it is around 1960 when they brought in vaccination. Before that, everyone had it (and quite a few died).

"Before the introduction of measles vaccination in 1968, around 100 children a year in England and Wales died from the disease"
From Welsh Nhs site seems a measles vaccine was introduced in 1968. Presumably over-40s are likely not to have been vaccinated.

Thanks all. Might have a chat with my gp next time I go in.

I guess your best protection is making sure your dc have had the vaccination. That's what they told me to do to protect my youngest when there was an outbreak near us and she was too young for the MMR

If your sis had it and you didn't then chances are that you are immune and were lucky enough not to suffer symptoms.

I had that with mumps - my bro and a french exchange boy had it at the same time but I showed no symptoms - hopefully that means I am immune.

I wouldn't worry too much if i were you. If it plays on your mind though and you are in a high risk area maybe talk to your doc?

FWIW, for immigration to the USA, they require that you are immune to measles. If you are born before 1956, they assume that you are naturally immune. If you are born after that date, they expect you to be vaccinated.

what was the mortality rate before 1956 then presumably quite high!

You can ask to have a titre test done (blood test) to see if you are already immune.

I got in while I was in Australia at the age of 25. Woke up covered in a rash, did not feel ill at any time. Went to docs who took some blood and that confirmed the diagnosis. Never did find out how I caught it

Yes adults can get it. I had it as a baby and my Dad caught it.

You probably were, routinely; I was, and I'm only four years younger than you are.

However, you may not have been. In which case, yes, you could get it.

A child at my daughters' school has no immunity, because she is having treatment for leukaemia. We've all had a letter pointing out that exposure to measles could kill her.

My father got measles for the second time when he was 18, it damaged his eyesight and made him short sighted. I had the measles vaccine in 1968 when I would have been around 3 or 4, because I can actually remember having it. My mother got it as a child of 4 and had corneal ulcers that had to be treated at the hospital, so I have always opted for vaccinations for my 3 despite doubts and worries.

I agree with ChukkyPig - if your sister had it then you will have been exposed to it and you're most likely immune

I thought it was very easy to catch

I was born in the 70s but I wasn't vaccinated

juuule you can request an MMR. i am sure they'd give you one

I'm much younger that you and I didn't have a measles vaccines. I remember having the disease though as a child.

they certainly do!