Can measles be prevented by vaccination?

 Can measles be prevented by vaccination?

Measles has existed in society for hundreds of years. The physician Abu Walker wrote about this disease for the first time in the tenth century. But the virus that causes this disease originated in the world 2600 years ago.

Centuries ago, even doctors had trouble telling the difference between measles and smallpox. It was only in the seventeenth century that the British government listed these two diseases separately.

Measles is a highly contagious disease. One infected person can infect up to 18 people. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine, the disease was widespread around the world, and countless children died because of it. It is estimated that more than 2 million people worldwide died from measles before measles vaccines were available.

If a person who has not been vaccinated against measles gets infected with measles, 10 to 30 percent of those infected may die due to complications. In 1874, a third of the infected died in a country called Fiji due to measles. According to the data of 2019, two lakh people died due to measles in the world. This disease is still the leading cause of illness and death in the world.

Measles is spread from one person to another through airborne droplets or sputum released when a person infected with measles coughs or sneezes. After getting this disease, symptoms and signs like rashes appear on the face and body, fever, runny nose, cough, and red eyelids. If not treated on time, ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea and brain infection can even lead to death.

Children under five years old, malnourished and immunocompromised people, people in schools and slums, people in highly developed countries are always at risk of measles.

For the first time in the world in 1963 (V. No. 2020) after the measles vaccine was approved for general use, many countries of the world have eliminated measles by using this vaccine. The effectiveness of this vaccine is confirmed by this fact.

A Maternal and Child Health Clinic was opened in Veer Hospital in 2022 focusing on mothers and children in Nepal. For the first time, mothers were made aware of children's vaccination through that clinic. After that, DPT and Polio vaccinations were given from the Common Health Service (where the trauma center is now). BCG vaccine was given at that hospital (Chest Disease Center) in Veer Hospital. Regular vaccination service started only from 2034. Since 2036, measles vaccine has entered the routine vaccination service. Since 2045, these vaccines have been regularly given to children free of charge throughout Nepal.

Measles vaccine develops immunity in children's body to fight against measles. If two doses are given through regular vaccination and additional doses are given through the measles and rubella vaccination campaign conducted at different times, more strength is also available for the prevention of measles.

Nepal also aims to eradicate measles from Nepal by the year 2026 (V. No. 2083). This goal can be achieved if all health workers, parents, public representatives, national international organizations and the media work actively.

What to do if you get measles? Dr. 9 tips from Sher Bahadur Pun

Measles infection has been observed in some places in Nepal recently. One infected person can spread measles to 12 to 18 people. This disease, which is spread through breathing, can be spread easily when an infected person sneezes, coughs, touches the nose and mouth and does not wash their hands.

After getting measles, fever, snot, red eyes, and red spots appear on the body three to four days after the onset of fever.

Measles, which occurs mostly in children, can occur in people of any age. To prevent measles, children are vaccinated twice at nine months and at 15 months. Children who miss vaccination are more at risk of getting this disease.

How to avoid measles?

This is not the only treatment for measles. Therefore, its medicine is the measles vaccine. The main way to avoid measles is to pay attention to hygiene. If you have measles, these measures can be taken.

1. Stay in isolation if you get measles

2. Avoid taking children with measles to crowded or public places (schools, colleges, parks, restaurants).

3. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough

4. Using handkerchiefs, bedding of people with measles

5. Eat light, fluffy foods

6. If there is vomiting, drink the water of life

7. Wearing a mask when caring for a measles patient

8. Only one person to care for the patient

9. Antibiotics can be given according to the doctor's advice if there are problems like fever, itchy eyes, tears, pneumonia. Also feed vitamin A.

Risk of measles

Many people get pneumonia after getting measles. Similarly, diarrhea occurs, the body becomes weak, thin. Similarly, if a pregnant woman is infected with rubella, there is a risk of stillbirth. Similarly, the joints may be swollen or painful.