Measles vaccinations

[Cindy28]

Hey hosts,

Is anyone else concerned about guests arriving with the measles? Should we start requiring proof of measles vaccinations from our guests?

[Ana1136]

@Cindy28 I am concerned about the people who from whatever reason can't get vaccinated are put in danger from the ones that decide that getting their kids vaccinated will do them harm just from a google search. I don't know the laws in your country and how would people feel about that, but you are very likely to be in contact with people that are not vaccinated in your everyday lives since it seems that it is a trend nowadays unfortunately.

[Cindy28]

My main concern is that if a guest shows up at a property with the Measles, that property is going to be quarantined for several days or weeks, resulting in a huge loss of income for the host.

[Sarah977]

@Cindy28  Guests can arrive having or carrying, unbeknowst to them, all manner of communicable diseases. Influenza, Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Shingles (which can give a person chicken pox if they've never had it before and haven't been vaccinated), Tuberculosis, to name a few. Just because there happen to be a lot of cases of measles lately, and it's prominently in the news doesn't mean the risk of someone staying with you who has something is suddenly there any more than it was before.

I'd just say to be extra diligent as far as disinfecting after guests have checked out. Use anti-bacterial wipes on toilet, toilet handle, faucet handles, doorknobs, light switches, electronics buttons and remotes, anything people tend to touch a lot. Open windows, turn on fans, air the place out.

Life isn't 100% safe, no matter what we do.

[Linda108]

Just so you know, @Cindy28  , many older people did not have the vaccination because it was not available.  Instead many, like me, had the measles!  Twice!  I agree with @Sarah977 that is it better to just use common disinfecting processes.

[Erica306]

I am actually thinking of writing a safety measure comment at the intro of our Airbnb reservation page, to kindly ask anyone who decides to stay with us that they have the vaccine. Is this going a bit overboard? Me and my spouse both have had the vaccine, currently living in Montenegro and the variety of locations our guests will be coming from all over Europe, where numbers of cases are rising. 

[Sarah977]

@Erica306  If you've been vaccinated, then what is your concern?

[Erica306]

@Sarah977 Even with the vaccine, it is still possible to be infected. Though that possibility may be extremely unlikely with a low percentage, adults who have already been vaccinated have actually still contracted the measles. You are absolutely right that life is never 100% safe, and since I want to be completely welcoming to my future guests, I think I simply just need to go all out with the disinfecting as my way forward. Thinking about it too much starts to feel a little silly. I just can’t help being overly precautious sometimes! Thank you so much for all the feedback ladies xx  

[Sarah977]

@Erica306  Yes, just be vigilant with cleaning and disinfecting. Thing is, a guest could have hepatitis, some awful flu bug, chicken pox, shingles, or a host of other things. I don't think we can expect guests to provide proof of being vaccinated against everything.

[Erica306]

Very true. I remember being vaccinated in the states (CA), but my paper records are totally lost - thinking of retrieving the information seems like a doozy! Along with being vigilant with cleansing spaces, I think my next step will be to visit my local hospitals/doctors to see if they are even able to treat the virus here (if not, then where else nearby?), what their protocols might be, and to have a direct number on hand. Might even try contacting my hospital back in my hometown to try to get an updated copy of my vaccine history. Thank you again @Sarah977 for getting my proactive juices flowing! I’m feeling much much better 🙂 

[Sarah977]

@Erica306  Most of those contagious diseases require actual close contact with the carrier in order to catch it, too. They would have to cough or sneeze on you, kiss or hug you, or shake your hand after scratching at measles or chicken pox. Or you'd have to drink out of a glass they used that wasn't properly washed. And even then, you wouldn't necessarily get it, even if you hadn't been vaccinated. We probably stand more risk of catching something standing in a crowded elevator than cleaning a guest room. So I'm not too worried about stuff like that myself. I always go right away and wash my hands well after cleaning the guest room and bathroom, careful not to touch my face, or eat anything before doing so. Put on rubber gloves for anything iffy. I use those antibacterial wipes on doorknobs (which have been shown to harbor more bacteria than a toilet seat), light switches, faucet handles, the bathroom sink and, of course, the toilet. 

Most viruses aren't really treatable, aside from making the patient comfortable with pain killers, etc. There are anti-viral medications for some things, but they are super heavy-duty, hard on the liver, and usually have to be taken for a long time. Viruses usually just have to run their course. Bacterial infections, of course, can be treated with antibiotics. 

[Erica306]

@Sarah977 In this case, I should have totally mentioned that my Airbnb I have listed is actually shared. My guests have a private room, which is right next door to ours (3 feet away) and we all share communal spaces like bathroom, kitchen, and living room. My place is rather small! (700 square feet/ 65 square meter in total) We are usually always at home too. Would you advise the same procedures to still be okay? 

[Sarah977]

@Erica306  I also host a private room in my home, but my guest has a private bathroom. They also share my kitchen. I'd just make sure you sterilize the bathroom daily if you're sharing with guests and that dishes are properly washed. Just don't get kissy huggy with the guests 🙂 

I've never gotten sick from any of my guests, if that's at all reassuring. 

Get enough sleep, eat well, keep your immune system up, and don't worry unnecessarily. We're exposed to all kinds of things the moment we go out in public, anyway- eating in a restaurant, standing in an elevator, attending a concert. How many things do you touch in public without even thinking about it? Doorknobs, railings, etc.

[Erica306]

@Sarah977 Reduce the normal amount of hugs and kisses, haha will be a bit tough but will have to do! Usually my worst fears seldomly manifest anyways, I am sure this is just one of those cases 😉 Can’t thank you enough for your wonderful input & knowledge. It has been so incredibly helpful for me! Sending love to all ~

[Lisa723]

@Sarah977 actually not true. Measles and chicken pox are extremely contagious.