Definition
Measles is an acute, infectious and highly contagious disease caused by a virus: the infection, just like chickenpox, mumps and rubella, is typical of childhood, although in some cases it can also affect adults.
Causes
The causative factor of measles is an RNA virus belonging to the Paramyxovirus family and to the genus Morbillivirus, transmitted essentially through the respiratory tract.
Symptoms
There are three phases:
- Incubation phase: 10-12 days: anorexia, gastrointestinal disorders, headache, general malaise
- Pre-exanthemic phase, lasting only 3 days: conjunctivitis, high fever, watery eyes, malaise, cold, dry cough
- Exanthematous phase: appearance of the exanthem first at the level of the face, then in the whole body (maculo-papular eruption), fever and cough. The rash, after 4 days, gives way to skin desquamation.
The information on Measles - Medicines for the treatment of Measles does not intend to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Measles - Measles Drugs.
drugs
As for mumps, even for the treatment of measles there are no specific drugs, but only therapeutic aids that help the patient to better overcome the disease. As we will see, vaccination has proved very useful in most patients.
The following are the classes of drugs most used in measles therapy, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and posology for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the health of the patient and his response to treatment:
- Paracetamol or acetaminophen (eg tachypirina): very useful therapeutic aid to lower high fever, a typical symptom that accompanies measles. The drug is administered at a dose of 325-650 mg per day every 4-6 hours; alternatively, take 1 gram every 6-8 hours. Paracetamol can also be taken intravenously: 1 gram every 6 hours or 650 mg every 4 hours for adults and adolescents weighing more than 50 kilos: if the patient weighs less than 50 kilos, give 15mg / kg every 6 hours or 12, 5 mg / kg every 4 hours.
- Vitamin A (eg Adisterolo, Evitex, Vitalipid): some doctors recommend vitamin A supplementation especially for hospitalized children aged between 6 months and 2 years. Clinical evidence shows that many children with measles have a marked vitamin A deficiency. The dosage should be established by the doctor.
- Ribavirin (eg Ribavirin Teva, Ribavirin Three Rivers, Rebetol, Ribavirin BioPartners): it is an antiviral drug administered to some patients whose immune system is particularly weakened or in case of serious complications from measles (eg encephalitis, otitis media, etc.) . However, the benefit reported by this measles treatment drug has not yet been fully demonstrated.
- Antibiotics, such as ampicillin (eg Ampilux, Amplital, Unasyn) and cephalosporins in general (eg Cefuroxime, Cefadroxil, etc.), are only indicated for bacterial complications. The dosage must be indicated by the doctor.
- Expectorant and antitussive agents: useful to free the airways, removing mucus and exudate deposited in the bronchi and trachea. Phytotherapy, in this case, is a valid aid: ivy, licorice, horehound, white nettle (in the form of syrups or herbal teas).
Measles vaccination
The vaccine prophylaxis has proved particularly useful to prevent measles: however, it is good to point out that the vaccine does not give absolute guarantee on immunity from the disease. Generally, the measles vaccine is available in combination with that for rubella and mumps immunization.
For example: MM-RVAXPRO (measles, mumps and antirosolia vaccine, attenuated vivo) and ProQuad.
What changes since 2017
With the decree law on the prevention of vaccination for minors from zero to 16 years, approved on 07/28/2017 the vaccination against measles has become mandatory .
This specific vaccination can be performed with a single injection together with 3 other vaccination covers (the so-called quadrivalent MPRV vaccination, which includes vaccines: anti-measles, anti-rubella, anti-mumps, anti-varicella).
- The obligation of vaccination against measles is in force, in the context of the 10 mandatory vaccinations, for those born from 2017. Even those born after 2001 are subject to the obligation of vaccination against measles .
- Immunized subjects due to the natural disease are exempted from the vaccination requirement, therefore children who have already contracted measles will not have to be vaccinated against this disease
Please note that compulsory vaccinations are a requirement for admission to nursery schools and kindergartens (for children from 0 to 6 years) and that the violation of the vaccination requirement implies the application of significant financial penalties .
For more information on mandatory vaccines in children, see this article.
