Leroy Beckett was in the middle of cancer treatment when the 2011 measles outbreaks hit - treatment which had reduced his immunity to almost zero. In this video, Leroy discusses his fears about measles and how immunisation in others is important to keep people like him safe.
Source: Ministry of Health
Key points about measles and chickenpox in children with low resistance to infection
- infection with measles and chickenpox causes a more serious illness in tamariki (children) with low infection-fighting ability (low immunity)
- talk to your healthcare team urgently if your child has had contact with someone with measles or chickenpox
Managing the risk of measles and chickenpox for children with cancer
Measles and chickenpox are dangerous for a child with low infection-fighting ability (low immunity). Talk to relatives, friends and the teachers at your child's school or preschool. They need to know to tell you if your child has been in contact with someone who has chickenpox, measles or shingles.
Ask your nurse to give you a letter about the risk to your child from chickenpox and measles. Give it to your friends, relatives, school or preschool.
If your child has been close to a person who has chickenpox, measles or shingles, tell your healthcare team straightaway so they can give protective medicine.
Infectious period for chickenpox
The infectious period of an infection is the time it can pass from one person to another. Measles and chickenpox are infectious before the rash appears.
Someone with chickenpox is infectious 1 to 2 days before the spots appear until all blisters have dried and crusted and no new ones are appearing. This usually takes 5 to 7 days.
You can find out more information about chickenpox. But remember, the information is not written specifically for tamariki with cancer. Talk about this with your child's cancer healthcare team.
Infectious period for shingles
Shingles can cause chickenpox. Someone with shingles is infectious 1 to 2 days before the spots appear until all blisters have dried and crusted and no new ones are appearing.
Infectious period for measles
Someone with measles is infectious from the first appearance of the symptoms of fever, cough, or red eyes, before the rash appears until the last of the rash fades (usually 5 days after the start of the rash).
You can find out more information about measles. But remember, the information is not written specifically for tamariki with cancer. Talk about this with your child's cancer healthcare team.
Acknowledgements
All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the National Child Cancer Network Clinical Leader.
