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| Measles, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Definition of Measles
Measles is a disease caused by a viral infection characterized by a red rash all over the body. Measles is an infectious disease and can cause serious complications, especially in infants and children.
Based on data from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, until 2018 there were 89,127 cases of measles throughout Indonesia, with 22 cases of which ended in death. Of these, the majority of measles cases were suffered by children under 15 years of age.
Measles Causes and Diagnosis
Measles is caused by a viral infection of the Paramyxovirida family. This virus is transmitted through splashes of saliva when the sufferer sneezes, coughs, or talks. Transmission of this virus can also occur when a person touches the nose or mouth after touching a contaminated surface.
Apart from exposure, there are factors that can increase a person's risk of getting measles, namely:
- Have not received the measles vaccine or the MMR vaccine
- Traveling to areas with measles outbreaks
- Vitamin A deficiency
Doctors can determine if a patient has measles by asking about the symptoms and examining the characteristics of the rash on the skin. However, in some cases, doctors need to perform additional tests to confirm the diagnosis, namely:
- Blood tests, to check for antibodies to the measles virus
- PCR test via throat and nose swab, to detect measles virus
- Urine test, which is also to detect the measles virus
Measles Treatment and Prevention
Measles clears up without treatment within a few days. However, to help relieve symptoms, sufferers can drink lots of water, take pain medication, and get enough rest. If needed, people with measles can take vitamin A supplements according to a doctor's prescription.
Measles can be prevented by giving the measles vaccine and followed by a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR vaccine). The vaccination must be according to the schedule determined by the doctor.
People who have measles are advised to stay at home until the symptoms subside to prevent transmission of the disease.
Symptoms of Measles
Symptoms of measles usually appear 7-14 days after the sufferer is infected with the virus. Symptoms of this disease are not typical, in fact similar to flu symptoms, including:
- Fever
- Weak
- Sore
- Have a cold
- Nasal congestion
- dry cough
- Diarrhea
- Vomit
- Loss of appetite
- Eyes that are red, watery and sensitive to light
- White patches appear in the mouth
A few days after experiencing the above symptoms, a red rash may appear on the face and neck, then spread to almost the entire body. These rashes are initially small, but can coalesce and form large rashes.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult a doctor if you or your child has symptoms of measles, especially if you are taking immunosuppressive drugs or have a disease that weakens the immune system, such as tuberculosis or cancer.
Treatment also needs to be done immediately if measles is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Hard to breathe
- daze
- Seizure
Measles Treatment
Basically, there is no specific treatment for measles, because measles can go away on its own in 7–10 days. However, there are several ways that can be done to relieve symptoms, namely:
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen, to relieve pain and fever in patients over 16 years old
- Take a bath with warm water
- Clean dirt or crust in the eyes with a cotton swab moistened with clean warm water
- Adjust the light in the room so it's not too dazzling
- Drink water more often to prevent dehydration and reduce discomfort in the throat due to coughing
- Get enough rest
It is important to remember, do not give aspirin to children. This drug can trigger Reye's syndrome, which can be life-threatening.
Measles patients who are deficient in vitamin A tend to experience severe symptoms. Therefore, the doctor will prescribe a vitamin A supplement so that the symptoms of measles become lighter.
Administration of Vaccine and Antibody Injections
Patients who have never received measles immunization can be given the measles vaccine immediately within 72 hours after symptoms appear. Vaccines given after being exposed to measles aim to relieve symptoms and speed up the healing process.
Doctors can also give antibody injections to patients with weak immune systems, infants, and pregnant women. When given within 6 days of infection, antibodies can help relieve symptoms.
Measles Complications
Most people with measles recover within a few days. However, in some cases, measles can cause serious complications, such as:
- Dehydration due to diarrhea and vomiting
- Inflammation of the vocal cords
- Conjunctivitis
- Ear infection
- Pneumonia
In pregnant women, especially those who have not received immunizations, measles can cause a number of complications to the fetus, such as premature birth, low birth weight, and even fetal death.
In rare cases, measles can also cause complications such as:
- Meningitis
- Hepatitis
- Infection of the optic nerve
- Crossed eyes or strabismus
The main prevention of measles is through measles immunization and MMR. Measles immunization is given when the child is 9 months old, followed by the MMR vaccine given when the child is 12-18 months old, and repeated at the age of 5-7 years.
Keep in mind, the MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant women. If you have not received the MMR vaccine, take the MMR immunization at least 1 month before planning a pregnancy.
Meanwhile, to prevent transmission of measles, patients are advised not to make contact with other people, including family, for at least 4 days after the rash appears.
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