Epilepsy can result from measles complication
DEAR DR. ROACH: When I was young, I had mumps and chickenpox, and one type of measles (German measles?) when I was 16, and the other when I was about 18. I had three grand mal seizures within 12 months after the second round of measles. I was told that the seizures were a result of the second bout of measles. I have been on anti-seizure medication ever since with no problems. There is no history of epilepsy in my family that I am aware of.
ANSWER: Measles can be complicated by swelling of the brain (encephalitis) or by the even more serious condition acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Both of these conditions can be fatal, but even those who survive can be left with permanent neurological damage, including epilepsy. It’s possible that this was the cause, but age 18 is not unusual for epilepsy to first show up, so I cannot be sure. The timing is suggestive that it might have been due to measles.
I also do not wish these vaccine-preventable diseases on anyone, which is why I consistently recommend vaccines. Young adults who were not vaccinated as children should receive catch-up immunizations as adults.
DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an adult. She has always taken a long time to recover from lung illnesses, and has had episodes of bronchitis and occasionally pneumonia. She was told that she has an unusual gene mutation. What is my risk? — H.S.
ANSWER: Cystic fibrosis is a multisystem condition affecting mostly the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. It is caused by one of many mutations in the cystic fibrosis gene (called CFTR), which codes for a protein whose job is to regulate the movement of chloride ions across receptors. When this protein isn’t working properly, secretions can become thick, and over time they can damage small structures of the body, especially in the pancreas, upper airway (including sinuses) and lungs.