Health authorities have observed an increase in measles cases since the beginning of the year. Especially in Hauts-de-France, île-de-France, in the Auverning-Rhône-Alpes region and in the Nueva Aquitaine. Therefore, a “reinforced surveillance” was required by health professionals because “in view of the strong contact of the disease”, “a broader distribution in the national territory in the coming weeks” is fear.
Symptoms, contagiosity, risks, gestures to adopt, vaccination … This is what you need to know about this viral disease, which can cause serious or even fatal complications, which mainly affects children.
• Tos, fatigue, eruption
Measles is a viral disease that has different stages. First, between contagion and the appearance of symptoms, it usually flows for ten days.
“This is the incubation period. During this phase, the virus is present in the respiratory tract, multiplies and spreads the body by blood circulation,” explains health insurance on its website.
After this incubation period, the first symptoms appear: cough, fatigue, strong fever (up to 40 ° C), a flow of the nose or even a conjunctivitis accompanied by swelling of the eyelids, tears, redness of the eyes and the breakdown in view of the light.
After three or four days, an eruption occurs. The red spots appear starting with their faces, behind the ears, on the forehead, on the cheeks, then descend on the neck, at the top of the body before touching the lower part of the body, at the feet. This eruption disappears approximately one week after its appearance. Meanwhile, if rhinitis and conjunctivitis disappear, fatigue persists as cough that can last until the end.
“After 10 days, everything can return to normal,” explains Robert Sebbag infectologist at BFMTV at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in Paris (AP-HP). Sometimes measles can cause serious complications.
• Complications in about 30% of cases
Although it is very difficult, measles is generally benign disease that can affect any non -immunized person. However, children under one year old, not yet eligible for vaccination, are the most easily contaminated and, therefore, the greatest risk of contracting serious ways.
In about 30% of cases, measles can cause complications that range from simple otitis, to lung infection or in the most serious cases to the inflammation of the brain. These complications may require hospitalization, sometimes a resuscitation placement, lead to consequences or in the worst case, death.
“Sometimes you have encephalitis that can cause death,” said Piti-Salpêtrière Robert Sebbag hospital infectologist.
Complications are more frequent in vulnerable people, such as pregnant women who are not immune or not vaccinated, children under one year or immunocompromised people.
“We observe complications in particular in the baby very young or in people who have fragility of the immune system,” explains Dr. Karim Tarabit a BFMTV, medical surveillance in Ars Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
• An extremely contagious virus
It is the spread of this seasonal virus, specific to spring, which worries the health authorities.
“The measles virus is an extremely contagious virus, a person can contaminate between 12 and 15 people who are not vaccinated in their entourage,” Laura Zanetti, epidemiologist and assistant responsible for the unit that breathes diseases and public health vaccination alerted to us in February.
Measles is transmitted by drops of saliva that extend in the air during cough, sneezing, flights or direct contact with hugs, handles. The transmission can also be done through an object contaminated by secretions of the nose or throat such as toys, scarves …
“It is a virus that is transmitted by respiratory route, but that can also be transmitted by indirect contact, since it is a virus that can remain present on surfaces for almost two hours and contaminate people by contacts with dirty objects by the virus,” abounds in Laura Zanetti.
A sick person is contagious for five days before the start of the eruption and up to five days later. Contaguity is the highest in the first five days.
• Isolation, barriers gestures … the gestures to be adopted in case of symptoms
Anyone who has symptoms should be isolated and quickly consult a doctor. It is necessary to isolate up to five days after the start of the eruption to avoid the spread of the disease.
It is necessary to rigorously place the gestures of barrier, that is, the use of the mask, the hand washing, the ventilation of the house … It is also necessary to avoid those around them so that they can be up to date with vaccination.
People at risk in a serious way (babies of at least six months, immunocompromised people, pregnant women) should be vaccinated within 72 hours, which can avoid the appearance of the disease or be subject to hospital management.
If it is your child who is reached measles, you must be removed from your nursery or your school. You must regularly wash your hands and verify that your child is wash them correctly.
“Teach your son or teenager to cover his mouth and nose with a disposable handkerchief, when he sneezes or cough. If he does not have a handkerchief, teach him to cover his mouth and nose with his handle (the elbow fold),” suggests health insurance. It is recommended to avoid kissing their child, and that the brothers do the same.
It is advisable to clean everyday objects such as toys, phones and avoid sharing these objects.
• Vaccination, main bulwark against the disease
Vaccination remains the best protection against measles and its serious forms. According The World Health Organization, the generalization of the world vaccine, has made it possible to avoid several tens of millions of deaths, says the health insurance magazine.
The Ror vaccine, mandatory for children of 12 months and more, gives immunity to life of 93% after a dose and 97% after two doses.
Vaccination is mandatory for babies born since January 1, 2018. A first dose is injected at 12 months and a second between 16 and 18 months.
Otherwise, it is recommended for all people born since 1980. In adults from 18 to 35 years, vaccination coverage is estimated at 90.4% (2021 barometer). Although high, it remains below the established objective (95%).
Source: BFM TV
