Measles is a complex disease.

Many adults contract measles.

We were at the Department of Tropical Diseases (Provincial General Hospital) while doctors and nurses were actively treating many measles cases. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy Loan, Deputy Head of the Department of Tropical Diseases, said: Since the Lunar New Year, the department has received many measles patients. Many people sought examination and treatment outside the hospital, but their condition worsened, leading to hospitalization. In some cases, patients self-medicated when they experienced fever, cough, and sore throat, unaware they had measles, thus becoming a source of infection for their families and the community.

Currently receiving treatment at the Department of Tropical Diseases, Ms. Do Thi Ha Quyen (43 years old, residing in My Yang village, Dak Ya commune, Mang Yang district) shared: For the first two days of her illness, she experienced intermittent fevers, followed by continuous high fevers. In the following days, she also suffered from sore throat, headache, eye strain, and general weakness in her limbs. “On the first day of treatment, I was so exhausted I couldn't walk or eat. I'm much better now. Before this, my husband had measles but didn't know it, so he infected me and our newborn child. My child is currently being treated at the Neonatal Department (Provincial Children's Hospital),” Ms. Quyen recounted.

Doctors examine patients with measles being treated at the Department of Tropical Diseases (Provincial General Hospital). Photo: NN

Also receiving treatment at the Department of Tropical Diseases, Ms. Rơ Châm MLúi (Blang village, Ia Dêr commune, Ia Grai district) said: “I had a fever, cough, and sore throat, so I was hospitalized for treatment. In my area, many children contracted measles, and my child also had it and has just recovered.”

While caring for her child at the hospital, Ms. Van Thi Hanh (Ia Krieng commune, Duc Co district) said: Her child had a fever and sore throat, so the family took him to a private medical facility for examination. The doctor diagnosed him with acute pharyngitis. However, after a week of taking medication, the illness did not improve and showed signs of worsening, so the family brought him to the Provincial General Hospital for treatment. Currently, his health has improved, but he still has a fever and sometimes vomits after eating.

Don't be complacent.

Measles is becoming a complex issue in the province. Not only are children and adults contracting the disease, but several cases have also been recorded among newborns. Dr. Hoang Ngoc Thanh, Deputy Director of the Provincial Children's Hospital, reported that the Neonatal Department recently admitted two cases of measles in newborns. The children contracted the disease from their parents. Previously, the parents had measles but did not take isolation and preventive measures, leading to the infection spreading to their children. “After admitting the patients, the department quickly established an isolation room for treatment to prevent cross-infection to other children. Currently, one child has been discharged, and the other is in stable condition and may be discharged in a few days,” said Dr. Thanh.

Children who have not received all the measles vaccine doses and adults should proactively get vaccinated to prevent measles. Photo: Nhu Nguyen

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy Loan, measles is a contagious disease transmitted through the respiratory tract and can spread very quickly, easily leading to outbreaks. Those most susceptible are unvaccinated children or adults with weakened immune systems. However, many people mistakenly believe that measles primarily affects children and is controlled by vaccines, leading them to be complacent when infected and often confuse it with other illnesses. Many cases result from people not knowing they have measles, self-treating with over-the-counter medications, which can worsen the condition and lead to serious health complications.

Anticipating a potential increase in measles cases, the Department of Tropical Diseases has prepared an isolation area with 50 beds. “The department requires caregivers not to change patients to avoid spreading the disease to others. We also provide thorough advice to the public about measles and its potential complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, keratitis, enteritis, and other infections… People should proactively get vaccinated against measles to avoid contracting the disease,” emphasized Dr. Loan.

Vaccination is an effective measure to prevent measles. In Gia Lai , after the measles vaccination campaign, approximately 95% of children aged 1 to 5 who had not received all the required doses of the measles-rubella vaccine received one dose. Adults should proactively get vaccinated; the measles vaccine for adults is the 3-in-1 MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, which helps prevent the disease and its complications. In addition to vaccination to prevent measles, people should pay attention to maintaining environmental hygiene, personal hygiene, a healthy diet and lifestyle, and exercise to boost immunity, wear masks, etc.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/benh-soi-dien-bien-phuc-tap-243103.html