According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles outbreaks are on the rise globally. From the end of 2018 to the beginning of 2019, more than 180 countries had measles outbreaks, of which 11 were in Southeast Asia. Even the measles epidemic has returned to a number of countries that have successfully controlled or eliminated the disease such as Italy, Ukraine ... Here's what to know about measles before the outbreak of seasonal measles.
How was measles discovered?
Discovered in 1757 but it was not until 1963 that Medicine found the vaccine to prevent measles. During that time, it is estimated that 249 million people worldwide have died from the disease. In the first 2 months of 2019, 43 provinces and cities in Vietnam detected measles patients.
Was a global pandemic
According to ancient documents, in 804 AD, in the city of Mashsad, Kingdom of Persia (Iran today), there was a measles pandemic, killing nearly 60,000 people. In 1848, a measles outbreak in Hawaii killed a third of people living on the island. In 1875, a measles outbreak in the island nation of Fiji wiped out a third of the population in just four months.
In France, in 1916, 12,000 people died from measles and 3 out of 4 were children under 5 years old, and if you add more, during World War I 1914-1918, there were about 48,000 soldiers. soldiers on both Allied and German sides died from complications of measles (but it was thought that typhus fever - also known as lice, because at that time no one believed that adults could also get measles).
In 1951, the measles epidemic hit Greenland, Denmark, leaving only 5 out of 4,262 residents, but thanks to this epidemic, scientists tried to inject gamma globulin - a type of protien. is rich in antibodies to the patient. As a result, the death rate from measles complications is significantly reduced, but how not to get infected with measles has yet to be found. Recently, in the US, after nearly 20 years of announcement of measles elimination, from the early days of 2019, the US Agency for Disease Control (CDC) has recorded measles outbreaks in some cities.
Measles cannot be underestimated
It is also preparing to enter the early 2020 phase, so we need to get ready for the measles prevention. As a rule, measles occurs in the winter and spring, mostly in large cities where contact and mutual contact between the healthy and the sick takes place frequently. Measles is a highly contagious disease. If one person in a family is infected, 90% of other members can also be infected.
Measles usually resolves on its own like normal viral infections, but post-measles infections are a "problem" for doctors and patients because after measles, the immune system is seriously damaged.
Signs of measles
Fever, dry cough, runny nose.
Red eyes, annoyed with light.
There are small greenish-white in the middle of the mouth (cheek area). Also on the body emits large, flat, connected red spots.
Tiny erythema first appears on the face, then spreads down the neck and then the whole body.
In addition to the general signs listed above, for infants, during the incubation period, it is almost like having a fever. Signs of measles in characteristic infants include:
The disease usually has an incubation period for a week, with manifestations of fussing due to muscle aches in the child.
During the incubation period, the child had a high fever, anorexia, and stopped feeding.
Children may experience diarrhea or vomiting.
In addition, some common manifestations of measles in infants are coughing, runny nose, and possibly red eyes.
Measles progression
The disease progresses in 7-10 days, the patient no longer has a fever and the measles will gradually disappear in the order of growth, when it flies away, it will leave a very characteristic dark mark on the skin called "tiger skin". The disease usually progresses well without complications.
Complications of infection after measles are often very severe, especially in children due to the virus.
Otitis media: 10% of children with measles can develop otitis media.
Pneumonia : 5% may pneumonia.
Diarrhea.
Dry eye corneal ulcer.
A few cases of children with encephalitis after measles, especially in malnourished children, 1/1000.
Handling like?
Attention should be paid to early detection of measles manifestations to seek medical attention. Measles treatment is mainly symptomatic treatment, combined with proper care. Measures taken include:
Antipyretic: use common antipyretic (paracetamol) when the temperature is 38.5 degrees C or above.
Reduce inflammation of the nose and throat.
Antibiotics are only used in case of superinfection or complications as prescribed by the doctor.
Coordinate with resuscitation measures depending on the patient's status: respiratory resuscitation in case of respiratory failure (for children to breathe oxygen, respiration), cardiovascular resuscitation.
In addition, home care for children with measles is also very important, especially a child's healthy diet is essential to support treatment.
Complications of measles
Although the likelihood of death from measles is low, the disease can lead to serious complications, and the danger of measles is its complications.
Inflammation of the middle ear.
Pneumonia.
Diarrhea.
Dry eye corneal ulcer.
A few cases of children get encephalitis after measles, especially in malnourished children.
Prevention
Find out how measles is transmitted
The disease is transmitted through the respiratory tract: the measles virus is present in the nasal and throat fluids of the patient. Usually spread to others 4 days before the appearance of measles, directly when patients sneeze, cough, or talk.
Vaccine
Actively take your child to vaccination from 9 months to 2 years old.
Limit contact with infected people.
Hand hygiene regularly every day, especially those who care for children.
Seek promptly when children have signs of sneezing, runny nose, high fever….
Can measles come back?
What many people need to know about measles is the likelihood of recurrence. The possibility of getting measles again - NO
After being infected with measles, or after being vaccinated, the human body will "recognize" the pathogen and biosynthesize antibodies to fight the corresponding pathogen, the medicine called immunity. . To assess the length of time the body has immunity to disease prevention, medicine classifies two types of immunity: temporary (term) and permanent (long). Immunity to measles is long-term: that means you get measles only once in your lifetime.
If you already have active measles, correctly diagnosed with a positive, specific serum test, then no more measles vaccination is needed. However, if vaccinated, vaccine conditions must be good and vaccination techniques must be standard.
NOTE
There is a special type of measles, German measles (German measles) or rubella, which is common in adults. Pregnant women, if they have rubella disease, can have birth defects that cause disabilities to their unborn babies. So if you intend to become pregnant, you should get this rubella measles vaccine. The above article is all you need to know about measles before a seasonal outbreak develops.
see more
5 characteristics in women that are easy to give birth, super "sensitive" pregnancy is not expected by anyone
Sparrows remedies cure impotence, less sperm for men
5 note to maintain the male style during Tet, men should memorize it