Measles Cases Increase, Immediately Complete Your Child's Immunizations
The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) stated that there were Extraordinary Events (KLB) of measles in Indonesia as of January 18, 2023 in 34 regencies and cities in 12 provinces. Do you know Hermina's Friends, Measles will be very dangerous if complications occur. The impact can cause severe diarrhea to death. Measles is highly contagious, even more so than COVID-19. Measles starts to spread even before the rash appears. Transmission of measles can be through the air, splashes of coughs, sneezes and through contact with sick people or contaminated surfaces.
What is Measles?
Measles is a disease caused by a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Measles is contagious (infectious) and can cause serious complications in children if not treated as soon as possible. The main cause of measles is a viral infection from the Paramyxovirus family, such as rubeola and rubella. This viral infection can be transmitted by splashing the saliva of a measles patient.
Symptoms of Measles
High fever
Cough, runny nose and red eyes
When the fever gets higher, around the 4th to 5th day, a reddish rash will appear
In the healing phase the rash will coalesce and become black and scaly
The child is not infected when the rash has turned black or approximately 4 days before and after the rash appears
Measles Danger Sign
Dehydration
Quick breath
Chest wall depression
Hard to wake up
Can't eat and drink
Less urination (BAK).
Discharge from the ear
There is yellow green pus/liquid in the eye
High Risk of Measles Infection
Children < 5 years
Not vaccines
Chronic disease/comorbidity
Low immune system: cancer, autoimmune, taking immunosuppressive drugs (suppressing the body's immune system)
Malnutrition
If the child is sick and the mother is pregnant, separate the children. Pregnant women are at high risk of experiencing severe measles complications and miscarriages, fetal death and growth retardation in the fetus may occur
How to Prevent Measles?
The situation in Indonesia in the last 2 years or almost 3 years since the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had bad implications for immunization coverage. When immunization coverage is low, vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria, polio, and mumps spread rapidly again. Prevention of measles can only be obtained from immunization, so immunization according to the schedule must be carried out so that children are protected from measles.
In Indonesia, measles vaccine doses are given according to the immunization schedule according to the recommendations of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association. This vaccine is given at 9 months of age, followed by booster doses at 18 months of age, and when the child is in elementary school (age 5–7 years).
Fathers and Mothers of Friends of Hermina, come on, complete your baby's immunizations at Hermina Bekasi Hospital with your favorite pediatrician.
Download the app Hello Hermina to make an appointment with specialist doctors at Hermina Bekasi Hospital.
sources: IDAI and the Ministry of Health