Many adults infected with measles are in critical condition.

Recently, the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Bach Mai Hospital has continuously treated many cases of adults with measles with serious complications.

Measles complications are unpredictable.

At the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Bach Mai Hospital, doctors are actively treating a 51-year-old male patient (Gia Lam, Hanoi ) with measles. This man had diabetes and bronchial asthma and was hospitalized with a diagnosis of measles. Despite treatment, after 5 days, the patient had increasing difficulty breathing, had to be intubated, had a ventilator, had atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular disorders and was at risk of serious complications.

A case of measles with critical complications.

Another case is a 28-year-old female patient (Hai Hau, Nam Dinh ), 8 weeks pregnant, hospitalized with intermittent high fever, chills, muscle aches, and a red rash spreading from the face to the neck, chest, and abdomen. In addition, the patient had a dry cough, sore throat, and 4 times a day of loose stools, without abdominal pain. The patient treated herself at home with fever reducers, but her condition did not improve. Upon admission to the hospital, the patient was diagnosed with measles with bacterial superinfection, and was monitored for pneumonia, which posed a high risk of affecting the mother and fetus.

Previously, the Institute of Tropical Medicine also received a 38-year-old male patient (Gia Lam, Hanoi) with severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, and complications from measles. The patient was healthy, a smoker, but had no lung disease. The patient's condition progressed rapidly, only one day later he had a fever of 39 degrees, a rash on his face spreading to his hands and body. Coughing up white phlegm, sore throat, and difficulty breathing gradually increased, respiratory failure, severe pneumonia, and he had to be put on an oxygen ventilator when transferred. At Bach Mai Hospital, the patient with severe acute respiratory failure required intensive care, mechanical ventilation, blood filtration, and ECMO.

Do not be subjective about benign measles

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Do Duy Cuong, Director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, since the beginning of the year, the hospital has received hundreds of measles cases in adults, an average of 10-20 cases per day. Common symptoms are fever, rash, cough, watery eyes, and runny nose. However, many patients have severe progression with complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, increased liver enzymes, diarrhea, and even encephalitis - meningitis. And most of these cases have not been vaccinated or have been vaccinated but not given a booster shot.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can easily spread to the community if not controlled. Therefore, when a patient is diagnosed with measles, they need to be immediately isolated for treatment to avoid spreading the disease to other cases.

"Measles cases with complications such as upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, increased liver enzymes, liver failure, multiple organ failure requiring dialysis, respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation... account for about 5% of hospitalized patients. Cases with underlying diseases such as diabetes and immunodeficiency are at higher risk, easily progressing to severe conditions requiring mechanical intervention," Associate Professor, Dr. Cuong said.

Measles is a contagious disease and can be prevented by vaccination. The measles vaccine is included in the Expanded Immunization Program, given to children from 9 months, then a booster shot when the child is 18 months or 2 years old. For adults, when the immune system is weakened, a booster shot is also needed. If the vaccination history is not clear or the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is not yet available, a booster shot is needed.

Many people subjectively think that measles is just a mild disease, will go away on its own after a few days. However, in reality, the disease can cause dangerous complications if not treated promptly. When symptoms of fever, rash, prolonged cough appear, you need to go to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

"Currently in Vietnam, measles is on the rise, not only in children but also in adults, especially those with underlying diseases or weakened immune systems. The measles vaccine is a very safe and effective vaccine, and the Ministry of Health has recommended that all children be vaccinated and re-vaccinated. Fully vaccinated not only helps protect yourself but also helps control the epidemic in the community. Measles is not as simple as many people think, so be proactive in preventing it before it's too late," Mr. Cuong emphasized.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/nhieu-nguoi-lon-nhiem-soi-nguy-kich-192250324131353765.htm