Precautionary information if you attended King’s Mill Hospital Emergency Department on Tuesday 16th April 2019 between 11.30am and 7pm
Posted Thursday, April 18, 2019 12:51 PM
Precautionary information if you attended King’s Mill Hospital Emergency Department on Tuesday 16th April 2019 between 11.30am and 7pm.
If you attended our ED department at King's Mill Hospital during the above times, there is a very small possibility that you may have been exposed to measles. We have attempted to make contact with patients that we have identified as being in the relevant area during this time (this does not affect patients that arrived in an ambulance or came to the Children’s ED). Please see information below on what actions to take.
If you are fit and well, have had measles before or are vaccinated, it is unlikely you will be affected. However, if you have a weakened immunity, are pregnant or had a child under one-year-old with you, you are advised to call your GP to seek advice.
What is measles?
Measles is a disease which spreads very easily. People with measles can get a cough, runny nose, rash and fever. Measles can be serious, particularly for people whose immune, system is not working normally. The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination.
What is the risk of catching measles?
Most older children and adults are immune to measles – either because they had measles as a child or because they have been vaccinated – and so are very unlikely to catch measles.
Who needs medical advice?
- People with a weakened immunity: You should contact your doctor straight away if you have weakened immunity (due to illness or medication). The doctor will then assess whether you are immune (i.e. have antibodies) against measles; and if the exposure was within the past few days, your doctor may be able to organise treatment to prevent you becoming seriously ill.
- Pregnant women: If you are pregnant and not sure of your immunity it may also be worth seeking your doctor’s advice.
- Children under one year: If your infant aged under one year has been exposed to measles, please also contact your doctor for advice.
If you are well and not in the groups listed above you do not need to take urgent action. However if you are unsure if you are protected from measles, you may wish to check with your doctor. If you would like more information on measles visit http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/Pages/Introduction.aspx
What if you become unwell?
If you become unwell within the next three weeks, you may have been in the relevant area (not brought in by ambulance or in the children’s area) and you think it could be measles, you should ring your GP or ED before you attend so they can make sure you do not pass the disease to others in the waiting room.
