Measles is an extremely discomfiting viral disease that can be unpleasant and if left untreated can lead to some serious health complications. Outbreaks and epidemics in the western world are quite uncommon due to the effectively of vaccination.
Measles –“Morbillivirus Measles Virus” is statistically one of the biggest killers of children despite there are cost-effective vaccines available. Measles is highly contagious and extremely serious virus of the paramyxovirus family passed from human to human through direct contact or infected spores in the air. The virus attacks the mucous membranes and spreads through the body. The first signs are typically high-fever that begins around ten to twelve days after exposure that lasts for around four to seven days. In the first stages of the infection a runny nose, cough, red and watery eye with white spots on the inside of the mouth.
After around fourteen to eighteen days after the initial exposure a rash can will appear and spread eventually reaching the hands and feet lasting around five to six days and fades away. Most fatalities related to the Measles virus are children under the age of five years old and adults over the age of twenty. Failure to spot the signs early enough can go on to have seriously complications as a result of the virus such as blindness, stiffness of the upper-neck, encephalitis, diarrhoea, extreme dehydration, ear infection and even respiratory infections.
Those who are unvaccinated are at the highest risk specifically children and those who are malnourished and traveling to higher risk areas with poor health care infrastructure.
The measles virus which is spread via the spores released when coughing and sneezing can remain active on surface and objects for two hours and is also transmitted person to person up to four days after the rash erupts on the body.
The measles virus in most cases can cause unpleasant upset but will usually pass in around seven to eleven days causing no further complications, once you have had measles, your body builds up a health pool of antibodies to combat any future infections. Most people who have Measles do not tend to get it again.
The Measles vaccination is a fairly common inoculation given in the western world as part of most vaccination schedules. It’s typically administered in two parts alongside the vaccine for Mumps and Rubella first at the age of around 13 months then the second shot as your child starts school. For those unsure if they are inoculated or not do not worry, anyone can be vaccinated at any age.
MeaslesAcross The World
The Measles virus can be found all over the world and is extremely common however remains a serious threat there are particular higher risk areas such as Africa and the Sub-Tropics.
Canada, Greenland, and United Stated Of America
Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Khemet (Modern day Egypt), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland , Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Vatican City
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, North Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Yemen
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The best way to protect yourself and your family from the Measles virus is to get the vaccination as well as maintaining caution and high standards of hygiene when around people who have flu-like symptoms.
The Measles virus when the rash stage of the illness can be extremely contagious and even those who are vaccinated are somewhat at risk and so its recommended after medical advice has been given to almost quarantine yourself and stay well rested, keep the curtains closed if photophobia is a problem (light-sensitivity), staying hydrated, take Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief and keep the eyes clean and gunk free.
In more serious cases, especially if complications transpire like loss of consciousness and difficulties breathing should send for immediate emergency assistance.
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