Watch out, measles!
In recent years, the measles situation in Russia has deteriorated, mainly due to imported cases. This is due to the problems in the European region, where the main flow of infected people came from.
Measles outbreaks in Europe and the United States are mainly due to low vaccination coverage, including under the influence of anti-vaccination campaigns.
Measles is an infection transmitted by airborne droplets.
The source of infection in measles is a sick person.
The disease is transmitted by sneezing, coughing, and possibly through dust. Transmission of the virus can be carried out not only in close contact, the pathogen can be carried over considerable distances (through corridors, stairwells, ventilation systems).
Measles is widespread everywhere. If a person who has not previously had measles and has not been vaccinated comes into contact with a measles patient, the probability of getting sick is extremely high. This infection is characterized by almost 100% susceptibility.
Symptoms of this acute infectious pathology are high fever, rash, sore throat, cough, severe intoxication of the body. The rash appears on 3-4 days after the onset of the disease, primarily on the front of the head. Then the rash spreads to the neck, upper torso and gradually covers the entire body, including the limbs.
The virus can be transmitted by an infected person approximately 4 days before the rash appears and within 4 days after it appears.
Quite often, in adults, the disease is more severe than in childhood. Measles is dangerous for severe complications: measles pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis, obstructive bronchitis, laryngostenosis, and others. Contrary to popular opinion, measles is not limited to fever and skin rashes, but can have a long, severe course with a pronounced effect on various internal organs, and require a long period of rehabilitation. Complications can cause disability or end in death.
It is known that this infection annually claims the lives of 150 thousand people worldwide, mainly children under 10 years of age. People who have been ill develop lifelong immunity.
To prevent infection, young children are vaccinated. Vaccination is carried out at the age of 1 year and 6 years. After it, immunity persists for a long time, but it is not always lifelong. Therefore, in adulthood, revaccination is indicated with the loss of post-vaccination immunity.
If you are under the age of 55, you have not had measles, have not been vaccinated or have been vaccinated once, or do not have information about measles vaccinations, you need to get vaccinated (twice with an interval of 3 months). Vaccination against measles can be done at the clinic at the place of attachment for free.
It is also possible to donate blood to the Lipetsk Regional Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases to assess the strength of your body's immunity to measles infection.
In recent decades, due to the introduction of vaccination in routine vaccinations, the incidence of children has significantly decreased, but among the adult population there is a fairly high number of people who are not immune to the measles virus, which causes an increased number of adult patients.
In case of contact with a sick person, an urgent vaccination of an unvaccinated child or adult with a measles vaccine is a preventive measure that can significantly ease the course of the disease and prevent the development of complications.
If you experience symptoms of measles – you should stay at home and call a doctor. Self-medication is not allowed.
