Measles: know what it is, prevention, symptoms and treatment

Research

Measles

Brazil is experiencing a measles epidemic. The country recorded 10,163 confirmed cases this year and 12 confirmed deaths, four in Roraima, six in the Amazon and two in Pará, according to data from the Ministry of Health. In 2016, Brazil received the certificate of elimination of measles virus circulation from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The contagious disease can be avoided as long as precautions are taken. Below, consult the directives of the Member States to prevent and identify symptoms, as well as the care needed in case of contamination.

What is it?

Measles is an acute infectious, viral, serious, transmitted by word disease that coughs and sneezes and is extremely contagious and can be prevented by the vaccine. All age groups are susceptible to infection, but malnourished children under one year of age increase their severity.

Symptoms

The main symptoms are:

High fever, greater than 38.5 ° C

Headache

Red spots, which appear first on the face and behind the ears, then spread through the body

Cough

Coryza

Conjunctivitis

White spots appearing on the oral mucosa, known as koplik sign, that precede 1 to 2 days before the appearance of red spots

Prevention

Vaccination against measles is the only way to prevent the disease. Children aged 12 months to less than 5 years receive one dose at 12 months (triple viral) and another at 15 months (viral titre). Children 5 to 9 years old who have not had the opportunity to be vaccinated before: two doses of the triple vaccine. People aged 10 to 29 years receive two doses of the triple vaccine and people aged 30 to 49 years, one dose of the triple vaccine. Anyone who proves that measles immunization is recommended for his or her age group does not need to receive the vaccine again.

Pregnant women should be able to receive the vaccine after delivery and women wishing to become pregnant should do so a month before and wait at least four weeks before becoming pregnant, infants under six months old and immunocompromised as HIV-positive.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment against measles, but only the administration of vitamin A in infected children, to reduce the number of serious and fatal cases. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is contraindicated.

For simple cases, maintain hydration, nutritional support and decrease hyperthermia. Many children need four to eight weeks to recover their nutritional status before measles. Complications such as diarrhea, pneumonia and otitis media should be treated according to the standards and procedures established by the Ministry of Health.