Measles vaccination

Measles vaccination

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects children. The virus is spread when patients cough or sneeze, or by direct contact with nasal or laryngeal secretions.

The first symptoms, which generally appear 8 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, are high fever, rhinorrhea (runny nose), red eyes and small whitish spots inside the mouth. A rash appears several days later, usually on the face and upper neck, gradually spreading to the lower body.

There is no specific treatment, and most people recover within two to three weeks. However, measles can lead to serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhea, ear infection and pneumonia, particularly in malnourished children and immunocompromised people. Measles can be prevented with a vaccine.

Source: World Health Organization