children s health issues
Measles
Introduction
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes various cold-like symptoms and a characteristic rash. Measles is caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, hacking cough, red eyes, and a red itchy rash. The diagnosis is based on typical symptoms and the characteristic rash. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms. Although the majority of children recover, measles can be fatal or lead to brain damage. Routine vaccination can prevent the infection. Before measles vaccination became widely available, measles epidemics occurred every 2 or 3 years, particularly in preschool-aged and school-aged children. Small, localized outbreaks occurred during the other years. Measles is still common in some countries. Worldwide, each year, measles infects about 10 million people and causes about 134,000 deaths, primarily in children. In the United States, measles is uncommon because of routine childhood vaccination. From 2000 to 2010, an average of only 63 cases per year were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, in 2019, 1,274 cases of measles were reported to the CDC. That was the highest number reported since 1992. That increase was mostly caused by unvaccinated people who became infected in countries where measles is more common and then traveled to the United States. In 2020, only 13 measles cases were reported in the United States amid the COVID-19 . In 2022, 121 cases were reported. Measles infection is more likely to spread in communities where many people live closely together, such as college campuses or other close-knit communities. Childhood Vaccination Concerns also contributes to the increase in diseases that could be prevented by vaccines. A woman who has had measles or has been vaccinated passes immunity (in the form of antibodies) to her child. This immunity lasts for most of the first year of life. Thereafter, however, susceptibility to measles is high unless vaccination is given. A person who has had measles develops immunity and typically cannot contract it again. People become infected with measles by breathing in small airborne droplets of moisture coughed out by an infected person. Most people who are not immune to measles develop the infection after they are exposed to a person with measles. Measles is contagious from 4 days before until 4 days after the rash appears. 