07/02/2019
Measles vaccines are available for free! Just visit your Barangay Health Center.
YES, MEASLES CAN KILL YOUR CHILD.
And yes, it can now almost always be prevented with a vaccine! Measles vaccines are for free at Health Centers nationwide!
VACCINE SCHEDULE
First Dose: Nine (9) Months of Age
Second Dose: Twelve (12) Months of Age
For infants below Nine (9) Months of Age:
Click informational link below:
https://www.facebook.com/OOTDstories/photos/a.740577786121088/1147374498774746/?type=3&theater
ABOUT MEASLES
Measles is a childhood infection caused by a virus. Also called rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children. The disease kills more than 100,000 people a year, most under the age of 5. In the Philippines, cases of the virus has sprouted up to an extremely alarming rate causing the government to declare an outbreak.
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS
Measles signs and symptoms appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
Fever
Dry cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik's spots
A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another
Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, often accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore throat. This relatively mild illness may last two or three days.
Acute illness and rash. The rash consists of small red spots, some of which are slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face breaks out first.
Over the next few days, the rash spreads down the arms and trunk, then over the thighs, lower legs and feet. At the same time, the fever rises sharply, often as high as 104 to 105.8 F (40 to 41 C). The measles rash gradually recedes, fading first from the face and last from the thighs and feet.
HOW LONG DOES MEASLES LAST?
The infection occurs in sequential stages over a period of two to three weeks.
For the first 10 to 14 days after you're infected, the measles virus incubates. You have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.
HOW CAN A PERSON WITH MEASLES INFECT OTHERS?
A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.
Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus that replicates in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. Then, when someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air, where other people can inhale them.
The infected droplets may also land on a surface, where they remain active and contagious for several hours. You can contract the virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing your eyes after touching the infected surface.
About 90 percent of susceptible people who are exposed to someone with the virus will be infected.
COMPLICATIONS
Complications of measles may include:
Ear infection.
One of the most common complications of measles is a bacterial ear infection.
Bronchitis, laryngitis or croup.
Measles may lead to inflammation of your voice box (larynx) or inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways of your lungs (bronchial tubes).
Pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a common complication of measles. People with compromised immune systems can develop an especially dangerous variety of pneumonia that is sometimes fatal.
Encephalitis.
About 1 in 1,000 people with measles develops a complication called encephalitis. Encephalitis may occur right after measles, or it might not occur until months later.
Pregnancy Problems.
If you're pregnant, you need to take special care to avoid measles because the disease can cause preterm labor, low birth weight and maternal death.
PREVENTION
If someone in your household has measles, take these precautions to protect vulnerable family and friends:
Isolation
Because measles is highly contagious from about four days before to four days after the rash breaks out, people with measles shouldn't return to activities in which they interact with other people during this period.
It may also be necessary to keep non-immunized people — siblings, for example — away from the infected person.
Vaccinate.
Be sure that anyone who's at risk of getting the measles who hasn't been fully vaccinated receives the measles vaccine as soon as possible. This includes anyone born after 1957 who hasn't been vaccinated, as well as infants older than 6 months.
If you've already had measles, your body has built up its immune system to fight the infection, and you can't get measles again.
The most important thing to do when you suspect measles or any other illness is to seek the direct advice of the baby´s pediatrician.
All information stated in this post are merely for informational purposes, and should not be considered as a health plan. Nothing will ever replace direct consultation and assessment of a licensed health professional.
[Information Source: DOH PH l MayoClinic]
