Is measles contagious?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by BSCKII Pham Thi Khuong - Pediatric Center, Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Measles is an acute infection that usually affects children under 5 years of age, and adults can still get it. However, between 25 and 50% of people who are exposed to the measles virus and become infected do not show clinical signs. So is measles contagious, and how is it prevented and treated?

1. Measles and its symptoms

Measles is an acute infectious disease, spread through the respiratory tract, caused by the measles virus.
Measles is usually mild. Symptoms begin 16 to 18 days after exposure (contact with someone with Measles). Common symptoms include
Onset phase (inflammation phase): 2-4 days. Patients often have high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes with red eyes due to upper respiratory tract infections and conjunctivitis, sometimes coughing and hoarseness due to acute laryngitis. rash): Lasts 2-5 days. Usually after 3-4 days after high fever, the measles-like rash begins: the rash grows sequentially from head to toe: erythematous maculopapular rash, when stretched, the rash disappears, appearing behind the ears, back of the neck, forehead , the face and neck gradually spread to the trunk and extremities, both on the palms and soles. Sometimes the rash is accompanied by itching. When the rash reaches the feet, the fever will subside if there are no complications. Recovery phase (Effective stage): The rash gradually fades to gray, scabs of dark chalk, leaving tiger-striped bruises and disappearing in the same order as when it appeared. If there are no complications of measles, the disease will go away on its own. There may be a cough that lasts 1-2 weeks after the rash clears.

Once a person is infected, the virus spreads throughout the body for about 5-7 days. Symptoms usually appear 2 to 3 weeks after exposure. However, the report found that about half of those infected have no symptoms but are still able to spread the virus to others.

2. Is measles contagious?

The measles virus is present in the nose and throat of an infected person. Direct contact with mucus from the nose/throat or contact with an infected person's cough or sneeze can spread the disease. People infected with measles are usually contagious from 7 days before to 7 days after the onset of the rash.
In addition, measles can also be transmitted from mother to child through blood during pregnancy.
Therefore, if you have the disease, you have been infected from 1 week before and until 1 week after the rash appeared.
You can help stop the disease from spreading by:
Limit going to school, work or other densely populated places where you can spread the disease Cover your coughs and sneezes. Anyone who has never had measles or has never been vaccinated against measles can get it. Children under 12 months of age are at higher risk because they have not been vaccinated.

3. How is measles diagnosed and treated?

Doctors can diagnose measles by:
Physical examination: look for signs of fever, red eyes with conjunctivitis, upper respiratory tract inflammation, measles-like rash, physical examination... Ask your friend if you have been in contact with someone who has measles before getting sick. Blood test to evaluate the body's response and diagnose the cause of Measles. It is important that you immediately notify medical staff when you suspect you may have the measles virus to promptly treat as well as isolate from densely populated areas to avoid infection causing disease outbreaks. .
Treatment Principle There is no specific treatment, mainly supportive treatment. Patients with measles should be isolated. Early detection and treatment of complications. Specific treatment
Use pain relievers to reduce fever and muscle aches Rest to help boost your immune system Drink plenty of fluids (six to eight glasses of water per day) Vitamin A supplements

4. How can measles be prevented?

Vaccination is the only way to prevent measles. The measles vaccine is part of the measles vaccine that works against mumps, measles, and measles. Measles vaccine is usually given to children between 12 and 15 months of age and is given again at 4-6 years of age. Adults and older children who are not immune should get the measles vaccine. Healthcare workers, in particular, must also be immune to measles. Women planning to have children and those who are not immune should get the measles vaccine at least 1 month before becoming pregnant.

Adverse reactions after vaccination are generally mild. These may include pain and redness at the injection site, low-grade fever, rash, and muscle aches.
Also, to reduce the risk of spreading you can take care
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze Isolate if you suspect you have the measles virus. In short, measles is a contagious disease, very easily spread through the respiratory tract and outbreaks into epidemics. The subjects most at risk are children who have not been vaccinated against the disease. Therefore, the best way to protect the health of you and your loved ones is to get vaccinated against measles. If you have any questions, please share with us - Vinmec International General Hospital - a team of reputable and experienced pediatric and infectious diseases specialists will enthusiastically advise you.

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