Community Health
Running head: Community Health News
Community Health: A Case of Measles
Kimberly K. Turner
University of Phoenix
NUR 471
Park Balevre, MSN, RC, BC
May 12, 2008
A Case of Measles Earlier this year in January, San Diego County encountered the first case of measles since the 1990s. Many citizens of the United States were not concerned, but given the highly contagious nature of this viral infection and the fact that many parents are opting not to vaccinate their children; this is cause for major concern. According to Clark, (2008, para. 4), “In less than a month, the outbreak – San Diego County’s first since 1991 – began in Switzerland and has spanned about half the globe. The case demonstrates how quickly, extensively and silently the potential lethal virus can spread.” This case of measles started when a family was returning from a vacation to Switzerland. As quoted by Clark, (2008, para. 13), “More than 400 cases of measles occur in Switzerland each year, about triple to total in the United States.” The family returned home on January 15 and a seven year old child was infected, this child then infected two siblings. According to Stanhope, M., and Lancaster, J. (2008, p.875), “Measles is an acute, highly contagious disease. Symptoms include fever, sneezing and coughing, conjunctivitis, small white spots on the inside of the cheek (Koplik’s spots), and a red, blotchy rash beginning several days after the respiratory signs. Measles is caused by the rubeola virus and is transmitted by inhalation of infected aerosol droplets, or by direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions or with articles freshly contaminated with the same nasal or throat secretions. Its very contagious nature, combined with the fact that people are most contagious before they are aware they are infected, makes measles a disease that can spread rapidly through the population.” The seven year old’s parents took the child to a children’s
Community Health: A Case of Measles
Kimberly K. Turner
University of Phoenix
NUR 471
Park Balevre, MSN, RC, BC
May 12, 2008
A Case of Measles Earlier this year in January, San Diego County encountered the first case of measles since the 1990s. Many citizens of the United States were not concerned, but given the highly contagious nature of this viral infection and the fact that many parents are opting not to vaccinate their children; this is cause for major concern. According to Clark, (2008, para. 4), “In less than a month, the outbreak – San Diego County’s first since 1991 – began in Switzerland and has spanned about half the globe. The case demonstrates how quickly, extensively and silently the potential lethal virus can spread.” This case of measles started when a family was returning from a vacation to Switzerland. As quoted by Clark, (2008, para. 13), “More than 400 cases of measles occur in Switzerland each year, about triple to total in the United States.” The family returned home on January 15 and a seven year old child was infected, this child then infected two siblings. According to Stanhope, M., and Lancaster, J. (2008, p.875), “Measles is an acute, highly contagious disease. Symptoms include fever, sneezing and coughing, conjunctivitis, small white spots on the inside of the cheek (Koplik’s spots), and a red, blotchy rash beginning several days after the respiratory signs. Measles is caused by the rubeola virus and is transmitted by inhalation of infected aerosol droplets, or by direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions or with articles freshly contaminated with the same nasal or throat secretions. Its very contagious nature, combined with the fact that people are most contagious before they are aware they are infected, makes measles a disease that can spread rapidly through the population.” The seven year old’s parents took the child to a children’s
References: City of San Diego Economic Devlopment Population. (2000). The city of San Diego. Retrieved May 11, 2008, from http://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/glance/population.shtml Clark Cheryl, (2008). Flight spreads measles from S.D to Hawaii. SignOnSanDiego.com. Retrieved May 11, 2008, from http://www.signonsandiego.com/ Dennis, Connie M. (1997). Self-care deficit theory of nursing concepts and applications. St. Louis, MO: Mosby. Stanhope, M. and Lancaster, J.(2008). Public health nursing: Population-centered. [University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-Text]. St. Louis, MO.: Mosby. Retrieved April 11, 2008, from University of Phoenix, rEsource, NUR 471 Web site University of Phoenix. (2008). NUR/471 - Dimensions of community nursing practice. Retrieved May 11, 2008, from University of Phoenix, Week One, rEsource. NUR 471 Web site.