2021-09-11 15:00:48
Since the beginning of 2023, measles has been reported in 17 countries in the WHO European Region. At the end of February, more than 900 cas had been reported, which represents an overrun of the number of reported cases for the whole of 2022, reports the WHO (World Health Organization) (source 1).
What is the measles virus?
The measles is one of viral diseases most contagious in the world. It is due to measles virus which is part of the paramyxovirus family. It is transmitted by air and manifests itself by small red spots on the body as well as a high fever.
In Franceaccording to Public Health France, after an epidemic year 2019, the circulation of the virus remained active during the first quarter of 2020 with 230 cases declared during the winter before being almost absent from April 2020. the Covid-19 epidemic, explains Santé Publique France. The confinement established in France between March and May 2020, barrier gestures, wearing a mask, physical distancing having had an effect on the transmission of other respiratory pathogens”.
The virtual absence of circulation of the virus was maintained in 2021 and 2022 (source 2):
- In 2021, 16 cases of measles, including 5 imported, were declared in France (compared to 240 cases in 2020 and 2,636 cases in 2019);
- In 2022, 15 cases of measles (including 5 imported on return from a stay on the African continent and 10 indigenous cases) were declared in France.
The reporting rate in 2022 was 0.01 cases/100,000 population (imported cases excluded). The highest rate observed was still for children under 1 year old : 0,44 cas/100 000.
Symptoms: How do I know if my baby has measles?
The first ones symptoms from measles appear ten days after contamination and first evoke a common cold :
- Rhinorrhea (runny nose);
- An alteration in general condition;
- Conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes);
- A high fever (between 39°C and 40°C);
- As well as a dry cough.
Koplik’s sign in babies
A small white patch may also appear inside the cheeks. “This little dot called signe de Koplik is really a hallmark of measles and precedes the rash, says Dr. Dailland. L’rashmeanwhile, is manifested by the appearance of red spots which disappear when pressed. These first appear on the face – the forehead, behind the ears, the cheeks – and then progress to reach the whole body”.
Measles or chicken pox: how to differentiate between pimples?
Both highly contagious childhood illnesses, measles and the varicella are distinguished by their buttons.
What does the measles rash look like?
As part of the measlesl’rash is characterized by red spots which first appear on the face (on the forehead, behind the ears, cheeks) before extending to the upper body and then to the extremities. “It’s a so-called descending eruption,” confirms Dr. Dailland. “She disappears in about a week.” Measles is accompanied by other symptoms such as runny nosea high fever, of the red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) and an dry cough.
What does the chicken pox rash look like?
Unlike the measles rash, pimples on the varicella are localized on the chest and face before spreading to the whole body and are accompanied by severe itching. Pinkish in appearance, the spots first turn into blisters (vesicles) containing a transparent liquid, before drying and forming a small crust. Infectious disease caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), varicella is also characterized by moderate fever (38°C) and headache.
Contagion: how does a baby catch measles?
The measles is a viral disease extremely contagious which is easily transmitted from person to person. “Contamination occurs through saliva droplets coming from the airways during coughing or sneezing, by objects contaminated by secretions (toys, handkerchiefs), or during close contact with the contaminated person”, confirms Dr Daillant.
What is the incubation time for this disease?
Symptoms of the disease appear 8 to 12 days after the child’s exposure to the virus. The patient is contagious five days before the onset of the rash and five days after it. As the virus is highly contagious, a person can contaminate between 15 and 20. “Hence sometimes the resurgence of real epidemic outbreaks”.
Measles vaccination: how does it work?
Pour eradicate the disease, it should 95% of the French population is immunized against measles. Such collective protection would make it possible to protect infants under one year old, pregnant women and immunocompromised people who cannot be vaccinated themselves. “In France, even if the vaccination coverage against measles at the age of 2 years is progressing regularly, it does not currently reach the 95% necessary for its elimination”, confirms Public Health France. “Globally, measles remains one of the major infectious scourges. The challenge is therefore to succeed in achieving a sufficiently high vaccination coverage ».
MMR: a compulsory vaccine for children
Since 2018, MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) has been one of the 11 mandatory vaccines for the baby. “It is a safe, effective vaccine with few side effects,” says Dr. Daillant. “The first injection generally takes place when the child is 12 months old and the second between 16 and 18 months”.
When the mother of the child has been vaccinated against measles she transmits her antibody to her baby via the placenta. ” THE infant is so protected by maternal antibodies pendant at least two or three months after birth “, continues the doctor. “You should know that when the mother is not vaccinated and is infected with measles just before giving birth, the risk of transmission to the newborn is extremely high”.
Contracting measles during pregnancy can also have serious consequences for the pregnant woman. “Measles can be complicated by measles pneumonia even of a encephalitis that is to say, an inflammation of the brain tissue and cause serious sequelae”, warns Dr Philippe Poujol of the Medical Center of the Institut Pasteur.
It is therefore important that women who are planning a pregnancy check that they have been vaccinated before getting pregnant. It is a protection for both them and their baby.
What is the treatment for measles in babies?
Currently, there is no specific treatment against measles. “Only the vaccination from the age of 12 months helps protect your baby against the virus,” explains Dr Dailland. “When a child has the disease, the symptoms will be treated : for example, we will prescribe antipyretics (paracetamol) to fight fever. In the event of a runny nose, it may also be useful to do nose washes with saline. In the absence of complications, measles heals in one to two weeks.
If a young child is exposed to a confirmed case of measles, an injection ofpolyvalent immunoglobulins. “The administration is done intravenously and requires a short hospital stay. This allows the immune system of the child who has been in contact with an infected person to have specific antibodies to fight against possible measles”.
According to the Ministry of Health, the immunoglobulins are recommended after exposure to a confirmed case in:
- Unvaccinated pregnant women with no history of measles;
- The child under 6 months whose mother has measles;
- The child aged 6 to 11 months not vaccinated in post-exposure, within 72 hours after contact.
What are the complications in infants?
THE complications measles (about 30% of cases) occur most often in infants less than one year old, i.e. before they were vaccinated, and the adults.
The measles virus can first lead to minor complications, underlines the Health Insurance (source 3):
In addition to mild complications such as otitis or laryngitis, measles can also cause pneumonia or a encephalitis. This inflammation of the brain results in high fever, headaches, impaired consciousness, seizures and can have serious repercussions. “Encephalitis can sometimes appear at a distance from the initial infectious phenomenon”, concludes Dr. Dailland.
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