What is measles? What if I get measles?

What is measles?

What is measles? What if I get measles?

Measles is an acute respiratory infection caused by measles virus, often in the winter and spring. Measles is highly contagious, and in areas where there is no universal immunization against measles, there are often multiple cases in kindergartens, schools, and work units in a short period of time. The symptoms of measles in the early stage are similar to those of the common cold. There are mainly fever, cough, and snot. After a few days of fever, there is a rash on the body. It starts from the head. It is also characterized by a mucous membrane with a molar in the mouth. White will appear. smaller. Measles usually gradually improves after 7 to 14 days, and will not leave serious sequelae. However, if encephalitis or pneumonia occurs, close treatment is needed, especially in infants and young children, which requires close observation by parents.

Is measles only transmitted between people?
Yes, measles spread only between people and people. People who have not had measles and have not been vaccinated against measles are most susceptible to measles.


Which symptoms suggest measles?
After measles infection, the individual's response to measles virus is different, and the symptoms are also slightly different, but the symptoms of adults and children are basically similar. Measles symptoms usually occur 7 to 14 days after infection. The initial symptoms of measles are similar to those of the common cold. The typical symptoms are as follows:

• Moderate or high fever, body temperature can reach 40 to 41 degrees Celsius;
• Coughing and redness;
• Small on the 2nd to 3rd day of fever The red rash spreads from the hairline and face to other parts of the body;
• Two to three days after the onset of measles symptoms, small white spots (Koplik spots) appear on the buccal mucosa corresponding to the second molar.

Is measles serious? What are the serious complications?
Common complications of measles patients are diarrhea, otitis media, and most measles patients do not have particularly serious complications. However, for infants and young children, the risk of measles is still very high. Children under the age of 5, especially babies, parents should pay attention to the following symptoms, headache, vomiting, mental irritability, convulsions, etc., these symptoms, should be alert to the possibility of encephalitis, Parents should send their children to the hospital as soon as possible.

How is measles transmitted?
The measles virus is highly contagious. Measles virus in the tears, nose, mouth, pharynx and trachea secretions of measles patients, sneezing, coughing and talking, etc., can spread the measles virus-containing droplets into the air, inhalation of droplets can cause human body measles. The measles virus can survive in the air for 2 hours, and the virus infection period is from 4 days before the rash to 5 days after the rash. 90% of people who are not immunized against measles virus (people who have not had measles and have not been vaccinated against measles) will be infected after contact with measles patients. After the measles enters the human body, it can induce the body's immune response, leading to a series of symptoms.

When should I go to the hospital to ask a doctor for a diagnosis?
Children suspected of contracting measles, especially infants and young children, if you have the following symptoms, you must seek medical advice in time:

• High fever (body temperature above 39 degrees Celsius) antipyretic drugs are not effective, or continue to heat for more than 3 days; 
• Diarrhea, severe urine Reduced amount, or with abdominal pain;
• Ear pain or discharge (suspected otitis media);
• Severe cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing (suspected pneumonia);
• Headache, irritability, consciousness Decreased, convulsions (suspected encephalitis).

How to treat measles after infection?
Measles has no specific treatment for the cause, and can only be given supportive therapy at the time of onset:
(1) daily care

• Measles patients should have regular meals and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables; 
• Ensure adequate rest and drink plenty of water; 
• Keep the mouth clean;
• Keep the house dry and ventilated; 
• Clean the furniture table, window and floor with disinfectant; 
• Pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene. 

(2) symptomatic treatment

• Those who have fever give antipyretics, avoid taking aspirin; 
• Mild cough can be given to the atomizer plus cold water, atomization treatment in the room;
• Pay attention to supplement liquid and juice food during diarrhea;
• The rash will resolve on its own and there is no need for treatment.

 (3) Vitamin A injection

• Vitamin A administration may reduce the severity, complications and death of measles. 
• Vitamin A should be given to the following groups: children who are at risk of vitamin A deficiency in June, immunocompromised, malnourished or hospitalized for measles complications.

How can I prevent measles patients at home or in neighbors?

• If the baby and family are not immune, vaccinate against measles as soon as possible after exposure to measles;
• Pregnant women, infants, the elderly, or people with low immunity should be given immune serum balls within six days after exposure to measles Protein can prevent measles or relieve symptoms; 
• Measles patients should be isolated at home for at least 5 days after rash 
• Nemesis patients in neighbors should not go to the door of measles patients; 
• People without immunity can not touch measles 
• People with immunity should be less exposed to measles patients; 
• Everyone in the family should wash their hands with soap and water;
• Patients and caregivers should wear masks when caring for patients;
• Caring for patients Take care to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands;
• Take off your coat after touching the patient, wash your hands with soap and water; 
• The room of the measles patient should be dry and open the door and window every day. 20 to 30 minutes less;
• Furniture tabletops, windows, and floors are cleaned with disinfectant.

Who needs measles vaccination?
Measles is highly contagious, children should be vaccinated against measles, and adults should be vaccinated without the immunity of measles.

• Measles vaccination time for children is the first vaccination of infants at 8 months of age, and re-cultivation at 7 years old; 
• A single vaccine or a combination vaccine for measles, rubella and mumps (leprosy) can be selected. 
• Children can be vaccinated free of charge at community hospitals, maternal and child health centers, child health care centers or epidemic prevention stations. 
• Adults who are not immune to measles should receive at least one measles vaccine to obtain immunity against measles.

Is it necessary to vaccinate a baby under August?
The time of measles vaccination for children is the first vaccination of the baby at 8 months of age and the re-inoculation at the age of seven. It is generally believed that infants under 6 to 8 months of age have antibodies from the mother and are protected by the mother's immunity, so small infants under 8 months of age are not required to be vaccinated. It is recommended that each woman check for measles antibodies during pregnancy. If there is no antibody, measles vaccine should be given before pregnancy. After the baby is born, people who may have close contact with the baby should also check for measles antibodies and vaccinate against measles.

Is the measles vaccine safe and has side effects? Who can't get vaccinated?
The measles vaccine is relatively safe, and the side effects may have local redness and swelling of the injection, which is not common. Pregnant women, people with severe immunity, such as AIDS patients, people taking immunosuppressive drugs, etc., cannot be vaccinated against measles; those who have had an allergic reaction to measles vaccine cannot be vaccinated; the acute phase of the disease has been accepted in the past 11 months. Over the serum antibody products, the tuberculin skin test needs to be done in the next 6 weeks, and there is a history of low platelets. In these cases, it is necessary to assess the risk and carefully vaccinate against measles.