As an unprecedented measles outbreak spreads across South Carolina, healthcare providers are using telehealth to screen and treat patients in order to reduce exposures of the disease.
“A lot of times if we need to err on the side of caution, we go ahead and set up a telemedicine visit to begin with,” said Dr. Stuart Simko, a pediatrician with Prisma Health Pediatrics in Greer, South Carolina. “The goal is to try and minimize exposures. A good defense is really important.”
Dr. Simko’s staff is virtually triaging potential measles patients instead of bringing them into the office where others would be exposed. He has treated eight measles patients since the outbreak reached South Carolina in October.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported this week 950 total cases of measles with the outbreak being centered in the upstate region. Measles is a highly contagious and serious viral disease. The virus can linger in the air for two hours, which leads to high transmission rates among non-immune people. The South Carolina DPH is encouraging anyone who is not protected to get vaccinated. However, some people are not able to receive the vaccine including babies, pregnant women and immunocompromised people.
The SCDPH is reporting 186 people in quarantine and nine in isolation following an exposure to measles. Dr. Simko said exposures not only put people’s health at risk but also having to quarantine or isolate complicates daily life. Once a non-immune person is exposed to measles, the quarantine time is 21 days.
“That creates a huge economic impact on families and a huge burden on families and so not only are we trying to stop the spread of measles but we’re also trying to stop those impacts on families and so when we can utilize telemedicine and not have exposures, it’s really helpful for everybody involved,” Dr. Simko said.
The measles virus can cause immediate complications such as brain swelling and pneumonia. Dr. Simko said the virus can even impact someone’s health years after the initial infection.
“It essentially wipes out your immune system,” Dr. Simko said. “As low as 11 percent to as high as 73 percent of your immune system can be wiped out just from the measles virus. “
Telehealth allows him to safely monitor measles patients to watch for signs of complications.
“When I can hop on a call every day or every couple of days with a family just checking on them, making sure we’re not having complications where you’re not having to worry about bringing your child in and exposing people but you’re also providing good medical care where you can see the progression of the disease on a day by day basis I think is really helpful for these families.”