Measles is rash appearance redness all over the body due to viral infection. Measles is a diseaseinfectious and can cause serious complications, especially in infants and young children.
Measles is caused by a virus, which is transmitted through splashes of saliva released by sufferers when coughing or sneezing. Transmission can also occur when a person touches the nose or mouth, after touching an object that has been splashed by the patient's saliva.
A person is more at risk of contracting measles if they have not received measles immunization, travel to areas experiencing measles outbreaks, or lack vitamin A intake.
Measles Cases in Indonesia
According to data from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, there were more than 1500 cases of measles in Indonesia, from January to July 2017. However, measles cases have decreased since mass immunization was carried out.
Until now, measles immunization continues to be expanded throughout Indonesia, in order to achieve the target of a Measles-Free Indonesia by 2020.
Symptoms of Measles
Patients with measles initially experience symptoms of cough, runny nose, and fever. Then often a whitish patch appears in the mouth, followed by a red rash on the face. Over time, the rash can spread to almost any part of the body.
Symptoms of measles will subside gradually without special treatment, and disappear approximately 10 days after infection with the virus.
Measles Treatment
Measles can heal on its own gradually within a few days. However, to help relieve symptoms, sufferers can drink lots of water and take pain medication. Intake of vitamin A supplements can also help relieve symptoms.
Measles Complications
Measles can cause serious conditions, such as ear inflammation, pneumonia, and infection or inflammation of the brain. Meanwhile, in pregnant women, measles can cause premature birth to miscarriage.
Measles Prevention
Measles can be prevented by giving the measles vaccine and followed by a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, and measles rubella (MMR vaccine). Vaccination must be done according to the schedule determined by the doctor.
In addition to immunization, measles sufferers are advised to stay at home until symptoms subside, to prevent disease transmission.