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DEAR DR. ROACH: I do not understand the hysteria over the measles outbreak. In my day, every kid had the measles and other childhood diseases, and all survived with strengthened immune systems. Today, young people have no natural defenses against diseases because their immune systems have been compromised by drugs. With the exception of smallpox and polio, childhood diseases are a rite of passage. – B.W.
ANSWER: In the days before vaccines, pretty much every kid did get the measles, but unfortunately, not all of them survived. Although measles death rates were already dropping, before the vaccine was available there were still hundreds of thousands of cases every year, with hundreds of deaths and thousands of cases of severe complications, such as encephalitis, an extremely serious inflammation of the brain that can have long-term repercussions. The vaccine reduced the death rate to essentially zero and the case rate to a few cases per year, mostly from international travelers. Over the decades, the measles vaccine has prevented many thousands of children from death and disability.
People, including me, are worried about the measles outbreak because there are many more people now who, because of diseases like HIV and cancer, have immune systems that leave them susceptible to measles, a highly infectious disease. Children under 1 year cannot get the vaccine and the immunity they get from their mother’s immune system wanes over time. Thus, there are many people at high risk for measles in the population now.
The measles vaccine strengthens, not weakens, the immune system, and provides lifelong immunity for nearly everybody who gets two doses. There are risks of the vaccine, but serious adverse effects from it are rare.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Have you ever heard of anyone being allergic or sensitive to newspaper print? I read the newspaper from front to back and like to know what the latest news is. I always seem to have burning eyes, itchy nose and some difficulty breathing. Is an allergy possible, and if so, how can I remedy it? – J.L.
ANSWER: It certainly is possible, and there have been some high-profile cases lately, including a Baltimore newspaper reporter. Most often, the chemical is from pine rosin, used in the printing process. An allergist can confirm this with skin testing. Avoiding the newspaper ink is the best solution, which may include simply washing your hands after reading the newspaper, or even using gloves.
Worst case, many newspapers have electronic versions that can be read via handheld devices or your computer.
DEAR DR. ROACH: We are regular readers of your column. At 72, I have fasting labs done every six months (metabolic and lipid panels and yearly vitamin D check). Some doctors say that having coffee in the morning before a blood draw is OK if you don’t use milk or sugar; other doctors say no coffee. What is the professional advice on this? – D.B.
ANSWER: Coffee or tea without milk or sugar does not interfere with the blood testing.
Dr. Roach regrets he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. To view and order health pamphlets, visit www.rbmamall.com, or write to Good Health, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
(c) 2017 North America Synd. Inc.
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