2024-04-04 19:04:00
May result in inflammation of the brain
Dr. Assoc. E. Pukenytė notes that in the last decade, the highest incidence of measles in Lithuania was registered in 2019 – 834 cases of measles were recorded then.
“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases caused by the measles virus. It is only transmitted from a person with measles. This virus is spread by inhaling air droplets with the virus, less often through hands or other environmental objects contaminated with respiratory tract secretions.
Both children and adults who are unvaccinated or have not had measles are susceptible to measles. The probability that such a person, who has been in the same room with a person suffering from measles for at least 15 minutes, will become infected is as much as 90-95 percent. It is estimated that one person with measles can infect up to 18 people,” says the doctor.
The incubation period for measles can be 7-21 days, but usually lasts about 10 days. This, according to her, means that the first symptoms after contact with a sick person can appear only after almost three weeks. The first signs of the disease are fever up to 39 °C, stinging eyes, redness, runny nose, dry cough, sore throat may occur.
“Small whitish spots called Koplik’s spots can be seen on the mucous membrane of the cheeks. A few days after the onset of fever, a rash appears – confluent spots that are slightly raised from the skin (this is the so-called maculopapular rash), which does not itch. It is characteristic of measles that the rash appears in stages: first the ears, face, neck, then the torso, arms, thighs, calves, and feet.
With measles, possible complications are pneumonia caused by the virus, damage to the larynx, and less often – inflammation of the brain (encephalitis),” warns Dr. Assoc. E. Pukenytė.
One of the most common serious infectious diseases
She says that the only measure that can protect against measles and its serious complications and control the spread of this contagious disease is preventive vaccination. Before the introduction of vaccination, measles was one of the most common serious infectious diseases, causing high mortality, both in Lithuania and throughout Europe: the overall mortality rate was 3 percent, and up to 26 percent in infants.
“Since the introduction of universal vaccination, measles incidence and mortality have dropped to 0.02 percent. Now in Lithuania, children are vaccinated against measles, rubella and epidemic parotitis free of charge according to the children’s preventive vaccination calendar: the first dose – at 15-16 months of age, the second – at 6-7 years of age.
Two doses of this vaccine provide reliable long-term protection. Those who get measles develop long-term immunity and do not need vaccination. “Adults who are vaccinated with only one dose of the vaccine and especially whose activities are related to human health care, as well as other activities during which there is a possibility of getting infected and catching measles, are recommended to be vaccinated with a second dose of the measles vaccine,” the doctor points out.
More than 95% must be vaccinated. society
Dr. Assoc. E. Pukenytė emphasizes that it is very important that more than 95% of people in society in every age group are vaccinated against measles. population – this will create a high level of collective immunity and stop the spread of the measles virus and prevent outbreaks not only among children but also among adults.
“A person infected with measles can shed the infection for an average of 4 days. until the appearance of the rash and on the 4th day. after the appearance of the rash. Therefore, it is very important that people who have a fever or notice other signs of infection do not go to work, schools, or visit other public places.
It is recommended to follow the general recommendations: wear a medical mask, wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, observe coughing and sneezing etiquette, regularly ventilate the premises and wet-clean touchable surfaces,” advises the specialist.
If you have been in contact with a person suffering from measles, it is recommended to monitor your health for an average of 10 days after contact with a sick person and, if any symptoms characteristic of measles appear, contact your family doctor immediately and inform about the contact with a person suffering from measles.
Unvaccinated or not vaccinated according to the full vaccination schedule (vaccinated with one dose of the MMR vaccine), as well as adults who are not sick and have been in contact with a sick person, are recommended to be vaccinated no later than within 72 hours. after the contact you had. Before getting vaccinated within the specified period, it is necessary to wait the entire incubation period (21 days) and if you do not get sick, get vaccinated.
“It is very important that we all understand that by vaccinating we protect not only ourselves, but also other persons – the circulation of the virus among people decreases and thus the probability of disease cases and possible complications decreases. Measles vaccine has been administered in the world since 1960, in Lithuania since 1964, it is administered all over the world, its safety and effectiveness have been proven in numerous studies.
That’s why we encourage people to trust official sources, to talk to their family doctor or pediatrician with confidence”, Dr. Dr. Assoc. E. Pukenytė.
2024-04-04 19:04:00