There are some diseases that have haunted humanity for a long time. But if there is something that drives human beings, it is the pursuit of progress for survival. We can see some examples, such as the flu and rubella, which were once some of the greatest scourges of humanity and today are just routine diseases thanks to the advances we have made, just like in the case of measles as well. Fortunately, we have the necessary technology so that most of these diseases are completely controlled or harmless to us. Today, measles, which was once a major epidemic in distant times, is considered a very rare disease in most countries around the world, including Brazil.

Elimination of Measles in the Country

Since the 1990s, vaccination campaigns against the disease have become increasingly extensive and efficient until, in 2016, the country received from WHO (World Health Organization) the measles elimination certificate. However, even though it is among the countries that managed to eliminate the disease, this does not mean it cannot come back.

Between 2007 and 2011, some outbreaks of the disease occurred in European countries where it had not appeared for a long time, mainly because some people end up refusing to get vaccinated. This shows how important it is to stay informed about the disease, even if it does not pose a danger in your country.

What is Measles? (H3)

Measles is an acute infectious disease that is highly contagious. The virus that causes the disease is called Morbillivirus and it was one of the main causes of child deaths in the 20th century.

As the disease affects much more, and much more intensely, people in their first year of life, this is the age at which children should be vaccinated. In Brazil, the vaccine is mandatory and free, and can be administered at any public health center or also in private clinics.

There are no specific causes for measles, as it is a virus that spreads being transmitted from person to person or through the air. People usually contract the virus due to a lack of vaccination, which ends up proliferating in the environment around them.

How is Measles Transmitted?

Measles is transmitted from person to person through any type of secretion, such as coughing, sneezing, or droplets of saliva. But in addition, the disease can also be passed on through viral droplets that remain in the air, making it almost impossible not to get infected if someone is in the same environment as another infected person. Because it is a highly contagious disease, measles was hard to control for many years.

Main Symptoms of Measles

When a person is infected with measles, several different symptoms appear, at varying intensities in each particular case. The main symptoms are:

  • Red Spots on the Skin
  • High Fever
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Runny Nose
  • Headaches
  • Persistent Cough
  • Loss of Appetite

Although some symptoms are very characteristic of measles, a diagnosis is only possible through medical tests. These tests can also reveal the level of severity of the disease and the best treatment for each case.

Consequences of Measles

If the disease is not properly treated, it can cause various problems such as:

  • Ear Infections
  • Affect the respiratory system, causing illnesses like pneumonia
  • Blindness
  • Brain damage that may lead to death

The groups most at risk when infected with the virus are newborn babies and pregnant women, since they have weaker immune systems. Deaths from measles are very rare in Brazil, but in African countries, the disease has a high mortality rate.

Treatment for Measles

People infected with measles need to reduce the symptoms of the disease so it will gradually disappear. For this to happen, some recommendations include:

  • Rest
  • Hydration
  • Healthy Diet
  • Dipyrone, to relieve Fever
  • Vitamin Supplements
  • Clean Eyes with Gauze

When the treatment is properly carried out, a person can recover in 10 to 15 days after starting treatment. A doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent or alleviate bacterial infections.

Measles is a disease that has a good cure rate, but there are still groups at higher risk of complications, such as malnourished children and pregnant women.

Is There a Way to Prevent Measles?

Although it is a disease with a good cure rate, the best thing to do is to prevent it so that you do not have to go through any kind of problem related to this virus. Of course, the most effective way to prevent measles is getting vaccinated as a baby, so you are completely protected from the disease.

The vaccine is given in two doses, since about 15% of vaccinated children have failures with the first dose. Another option is to take the MMR vaccine or a tetravalent vaccine, which also protect against measles.

Diseases like measles are no longer a major threat to us nowadays, but this does not mean that we should not be concerned, as lack of attention could end up making this virus a problem for humanity again.

For this reason, we must keep our children vaccinated and free from any complications caused by measles. As mentioned earlier, we often need to understand and learn about the disease to grasp the importance of prevention.

See also: What are the Symptoms of Mumps?
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