Measles-hit Swansea mum's appeal to parents to get children vaccinated
A SWANSEA mum whose son is battling measles has warned other parents to get their children vaccinated.
Her son, a pupil at Morriston Comprehensive School, starting showing signs of the disease two weeks ago.
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She said she originally put his illness down to being tired but said the cough and sore throat became worse.
After being sent away by the doctors on their first visit, with his illness being blamed on a virus, she returned a second time after his symptoms got worse. After the second visit, he was given antibiotics for tonsillitis.
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Her son was finally diagnosed and has been off school for two weeks but she said with hindsight she wishes he had been given the MMR jab.
She said at the time there were fears the jab could be linked with autism.
"But now I'd tell other mothers to get it. I really regret not having it done and I had absolutely no idea how bad measles could be. I feel guilty," said the mum, who did not want to be named.
At its worst, she said she could not put a pin between the spots and he had sore eyes and a temperature.
"He was really ill. I am really shocked at how bad measles is. He's lost half a stone and has been really poorly," said the mum.
Although she praised the school and the health authority she said she was shocked when she was arrived at the doctors and the pair were told to sit in the waiting room with other patients.
"If it's that contagious they should have a room set aside for suspected patients," she said.
She said a letter had been sent out by the school a fortnight before he was taken ill which led her to suspect measles.
She said one of his classmates had also caught the disease but during the first weekend measles didn't cross her mind.
"In the first few days it's hard to know it's measles because the spots don't come out," she said but she warned other parents to be vigilant.
"Don't take them to playgroup or school because this is how it's spreading."
Morriston comprehensive is the latest school to be affected by the disease with around 16 pupils thought to be affected.
Public Health Wales has urged parents to ensure their children get the MMR vaccination as cases in the Swansea area reach 252.
Thirty eight people have been hospitalised with 64 schools or nurseries affected.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness. Initial symptoms of measles include cold-like symptoms, red eyes and sensitivity to light, fever, greyish white spots in the mouth and throat.
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