Measles: A Dangerous Illness

Error creating thumbnail:

Roald Dahl signeert boeken in de Kinderboekenwinkel in Amsterdam%2C Bestanddeelnr 934-3367 (cropped)

Measles: A Dangerous Illness

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus. This illness is characterized by symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), and a distinctive red rash that usually starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can lead to serious complications, especially in children under the age of 5 and adults over the age of 20. Complications may include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhea, and pneumonia.

Transmission and Prevention

Measles is transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person coughed or sneezed. People can become infected by breathing in these droplets or by touching a surface that has been contaminated with the virus and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. The measles vaccine is often administered in combination with the mumps and rubella vaccines, known as the MMR vaccine. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends two doses of the vaccine for full protection. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, measles remains a leading cause of death among young children globally.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The initial symptoms of measles, which include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, typically appear 10-12 days after exposure to the virus. The characteristic measles rash appears 3-5 days after the first symptoms. Diagnosis of measles is usually based on the presence of these symptoms, especially if there is a known outbreak in the area. Laboratory tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Management of the disease focuses on relieving symptoms and addressing complications. This may include administration of vitamin A, which has been shown to reduce the severity and mortality of measles, especially in children. Supportive care to manage dehydration, respiratory symptoms, and fever is also important.

Eradication Efforts

Global efforts to eradicate measles have significantly reduced the number of measles cases worldwide. However, measles still causes significant morbidity and mortality in many countries, particularly where vaccination rates are low. Outbreaks can occur in any country where the virus is introduced by unvaccinated travelers and spreads among unvaccinated populations.

Conclusion

Measles is a preventable disease that poses a significant health risk, particularly to unvaccinated children. The availability of a safe and effective vaccine means that measles can potentially be eradicated. However, this requires sustained efforts to maintain high vaccination coverage worldwide.