Measles is an acute respiratory infection caused by the measles virus that occurs mainly in children.
Measles is common in winter and spring, but there are also sporadic cases in other seasons.
Measles is highly contagious and is likely to be prevalent in densely populated areas where vaccination is not widely available.
Measles is an infectious disease that can be prevented or eliminated through measles vaccination.
China has controlled pandemics since 1965, when universal measles vaccination began. However, at least 50,000 cases have been reported each year in recent years.
The epidemiological characteristics of measles] Inhalation of droplets containing measles virus, and close contact with measles patients, can cause transmission.
Measles patients are the only source of infection, from 2 days before the onset to 5 days after the rash, conjunctival secretions, nasal, oropharyngeal and tracheal secretions contain measles virus, while those with respiratory complications are still infectious 10 days after the rash. Patients spread by coughing and sneezing.
Unvaccinated and uninfected children are at high risk for measles, with the highest incidence in children under 5 years of age.
Stronger immunity can be acquired after measles infection.
The main symptoms and signs of measles are fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, tearing, photophobia, and conjunctival congestion, and the appearance of red papules on the skin and measles mucosal spots on the oral and buccal mucosa as its characteristics.
The early symptoms of measles include high fever, runny nose, cough, conjunctival congestion, and lacrimation.
The rash appears after 3-4 days of fever, first behind the ears and between the hair, gradually to the face and neck, spreading from top to bottom to the chest, back, abdomen and extremities, and finally to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, mostly in 3-4 days.
The measles rash is characterized by red papules (which can protrude from the skin and feel uneven to the touch), which can fade with gentle finger pressure, and some of them can fuse into patches, but no matter how widely distributed the rash is, normal skin can be seen between the rashes.
The rash continues to fade gradually for 3-4 days after it comes out, and if there are no complications, the body temperature begins to drop and the condition improves.
Complications of measles] Measles can be combined with complications such as pneumonia and myocarditis, which can be life-threatening in severe cases.
The most common and serious complication of measles infection in children is pneumonia, severe pneumonia can cause heart failure, and in severe cases endanger the life of the child, with a death rate of up to 10%.
Other complications include laryngitis, otitis media, and, rarely, encephalitis, hepatitis, nephritis, appendicitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Measles infection in pregnant women can lead to serious fetal malformations. Such as causing abnormalities in the development of the fetus such as cardiovascular, eye, nerve, hearing and bone. The earlier the infection, the greater the chance of malformation. It can also cause fetal death in utero, miscarriage or premature birth.
The home care of measles] Good home care is essential for the recovery of children with measles.
Give an easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid diet.
Keep warm properly, but not excessively …… Avoid direct exposure of bright light to the eyes.
Keep the eyes, mouth, nose and skin clean.
Drink more water when the fever is high during the rash period. Use warm salt water or alcohol baths to cool down the rash, or take a small amount of antipyretics and avoid using strong antipyretics, which may affect the rash.
If the child appears nasal flapping, shortness of breath, blue lips and depression must be immediately sent to the hospital for treatment.
[Measles prevention] Vaccination against measles is the most critical and effective measure to prevent measles.
Control and manage the source of infection: isolate measles patients at home or in hospital, in principle, until 5 days after the onset of the rash, or up to 10 days for those with pneumonia.
Cut off the transmission route: do “three suns and one open”, that is, sun bedding, sun clothes, sun often, open the windows to change the air, keep the room clean and air circulation.
Active measles vaccination: The most effective way to prevent measles is to receive measles vaccination. The current national recommended immunization program is to administer the first dose at 8 months of age and then again from 18 to 24 months. Since the age of illness in some children is earlier than 8 months of age, it is recommended that women of maternal age who have not had measles receive measles vaccination six months before pregnancy.
During measles epidemics, try to stay out of crowded places and wear a mask when taking your child to the hospital to prevent cross-infection.