Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. Here is what you know and how you can avoid it

This week a non -vaccinated child in the West Texas outbreak died, in which more than 120 cases were involved. The US centers for the control and prevention of diseases said that the last confirmed measles death was in the United States in 2015.

There are also nine measles cases in the east of New Mexico, but the State Ministry of Health said there was no direct connection to the outbreak in Texas.

Here you will find what you know about the measles and how you can protect yourself. What is measles?

It is a respiratory disease caused by one of the most contagious viruses in the world. The virus is in the air and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It most often affects children.

“On average, an infected person can infect around 15 more people,” said Scott Weaver, director of the Excellence Center for the Global Virus Network, an international coalition. “There are only a few viruses that even get close to it.”

Measles first infected the airway and then spreads out in the body, which leads to high fever, running nose, cough, red, aqueous eyes and rash.

The rash generally occurs three to five days after the first symptoms, begins as a flat red spots on the face and then spread down to the neck, the fuselage, the arms, legs and feet. If the rash appears, the fever can appeal to over 104 degrees Fahrenheit according to the CDC.

There is no specific treatment of measles, so doctors generally try to relieve symptoms, prevent complications and to keep patients comfortable.

People who once had measles cannot get it back, say health officers. Can measles be fatal?

It usually doesn't kill people, but it can.

Common complications are ears of ears and diarrhea. But about 1 out of 5 non -vaccinated Americans who get measles are hospitalized, said the CDC. Pregnant women who did not get the vaccine can born prematurely or have a baby with a low birth weight.

In children with measles, around 1 out of 20 pneumonia develops, said the CDC, and one of 1000 litters of swelling of the brain, which is referred to as encephalitis – which can lead to cramps, numbness or mental disability.

It is fatal “in a little less than 1% of cases, mainly in children,” said Weaver, who works at the medical branch of the University of Texas in Galveston. “Children develop the most serious illness. The cause of death in such cases is usually a pneumonia and complications from pneumonia. ” How can you prevent measles?

The best way to avoid measles is to maintain the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years.

“Before a vaccine was developed in the 1960s, all measles have,” said Weaver. “But when the vaccine came, it was a complete game channel and one of the most successful vaccines in the history of medicine.”

There is “great data” for the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, he said because it has been around for decades.

“Each of these outbreaks we see can be easily prevented by increasing the vaccination rate in the community,” he said. “If we can keep 95% of vaccinated people, we will not see this in the future. And we are far below this level in many parts of the country. ”

The vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the Covid 19 pandemic, and most states are below the vaccination threshold of 95% for kindergarten-the level, which is necessary to protect the communities from measuring outbreaks. Do you need a booster if you got the MMR vaccine some time ago?

Members of the health professions are sometimes tested on antibodies against measles and, if necessary, boosters, said Weaver – even if they already had the two doses as a child.

He said that people with a high risk of infection who got the shots many years ago would also like to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak. This includes family members who live with someone who has measles or who are particularly susceptible to respiratory diseases due to the underlying diseases.

“But I don't think everyone has to run to their doctor if they received two cans as a child,” he said. “If people only got the standard vaccination, none of it would happen.”

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