Is it the season for rashes again? Don’t worry, take a look at Feng Shui first

My child has a high fever and a rash? Rubella, measles, hand, foot and mouth disease... Which one is it? Don't worry, there is a saying:

One day for Feng Shui and two days for Stars.

Three days of jaundice and four hemps,

The medicine for five spots and six injuries is uncertain,

Hand, foot and mouth disease three times four.

It’s the season again when this “ancient” disease likes to appear and cause trouble, and it is extremely contagious: measles.

Don't underestimate it, it's more than just a rash. In the era without a vaccine, it kills about 2.6 million people worldwide every year. And it has not disappeared , but has been "waiting for an opportunity". In 2023, 107,500 people will still die from measles worldwide. Let's pay attention!

What is measles and how to identify it?

Measles is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the measles virus . It can occur in all seasons, but is more common in winter and spring . It is highly contagious and is prone to epidemics in crowded places such as schools and kindergartens.

The incubation period of measles is usually 10-14 days. The initial symptoms may be fever, runny nose, cough, etc., which can easily be mistaken for the common cold. However, if you find a pinpoint-sized gray-white protrusion on the buccal mucosa (medically known as a "Koplik's spot"), you should be alert, as this may be an early sign of measles!

A rash appears 2-5 days after the fever . It is red papules, starting behind the ears, hairline, forehead, face, and neck, and spreading from top to bottom to the trunk, limbs, palms, and soles of the feet.

After all the rashes appear, they gradually fade away in the order in which they appeared, becoming darker in color, with pigmentation and bran-like desquamation, which disappears in 2 to 3 weeks.

As the rash subsides, the body temperature also returns to normal and the disease heals itself.

A small number of cases may develop serious complications such as pneumonia, laryngitis, otitis media, myocarditis and encephalitis, and severe cases may lead to death.

What is the source of measles infection? Is there a specific medicine?

Measles virus is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets .

Patients spread the virus into the air through sneezing, coughing, etc., and susceptible people can be infected after inhaling the virus. It can even be spread through aerosols in relatively closed spaces, and it is also possible to be infected by contact with contaminated objects. It can be said that measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to date!

Image source: Xinjiang Disease Control Center

Source of infection: Measles patients are the only source of infection.

Contagious period: Generally from 5 days before to 5 days after the rash appears. The disease is most contagious on the day of the rash. If the patient develops pneumonia, the contagious period may be extended to 10 days after the rash appears.

There is no specific medicine for measles yet. If you are infected with measles, you should be isolated and treated, carefully cared for, prevent complications, and strengthen supportive therapy. Contacts should be isolated and quarantined or medically observed for 3 weeks to avoid cross infection.

The vaccination rate of hemp-containing vaccines for children under 7 years old is relatively high, forming a good immune barrier. However , there are also a certain number of older children and adults whose hemp-containing vaccination history is unknown or whose antibodies have declined, who have not been fully vaccinated in time, who have immunization failures or who have contraindications. Once an infected person is introduced, it is easy to cause a clustered epidemic, so it should be paid attention to.

Image source: Xinjiang Disease Control Center

How to prevent it?

Vaccination is the most effective and economical measure to prevent measles.

The country provides free measles-containing vaccines such as measles-mumps-rubella combined vaccine, which stipulates that all children should receive one dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine at 8 months and 18 months of age .

If you miss the vaccination time, remember to get it in time!

In addition to timely vaccination, how can we prevent measles in daily life?

1. Control the source of infection. Strengthen the management of patients and insist on early detection, early diagnosis, early isolation and early treatment. Patients should not go to school or work within 5 days after the rash appears to avoid spreading the disease to people without immunity. Toys and furniture used by children with measles should be thoroughly cleaned. After leaving the ward, medical staff should wash their hands and change their outer clothes or stay in a well-ventilated place for 20 minutes before contacting susceptible people.

2. Maintain good hygiene habits. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. If your hands are contaminated, wash them immediately and properly clean the secretions from your mouth and nose. Ventilate the room frequently and air your bedding.

3. Pay attention to keep warm and eat a balanced diet to enhance immunity.