WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — "Prevention is key" — that's what health experts say when it comes to viruses, like measles.
The Georgia Department of Health reported there's already been one case this year in Atlanta.
The individual was exposed outside the country, according to the report, and the department is trying to track down others who the person may have infected.
Dr. Uwa Iguobadia said she had measles when she was about a year old in Nigeria, where she was born.
Iguobadia said she got it from her mother after she had visited Iguobadia's sick cousin in the hospital.
"She visited her, and she came home, and, before she could wash her hands, I ran up to her to hug her — because that's what kids do — and, before you know it, I had the symptoms," she said.
Iguobadia said she was hospitalized for a few days before she returned home. She said she was still recovering for a few weeks after the measles went away and was still battling a cold.
When she was a toddler, Iguobadia said she and her family moved to the States.
Today, as a pediatrician in Warner Robins, she teaches folks about the importance of vaccines and symptoms to look out for.
"Runny nose, conjunctivitis or pink eye, swollen lymph nodes, feeling unwell, not wanting to eat, not wanting to play, or have any activities what we would say lethargic, rash, usually starts as a red flat rash, and then spreads to the body, arms and legs," Iguobadia said.
Nurse Keilah Jones said she was never exposed growing up.
"I got vaccinated at 12 months and at 4 years, so I grew up in a community with herd immunity," she elaborated.
"We always wanna make sure we're preventing the spread, preventing the transmission of measles," Iguobadia said. "There's lots of healthy patients that can get immunized and many who cannot. So, we're trying to protect everyone, even those who can't be immunized."
Health experts say if you think you or your child has symptoms of measles, do not go to your doctor or pediatrician's office without calling them first.
Adults can reach out to their local department of health for assistance in seeking a vaccine and additional treatment.