New cases of measles are recorded in seven regions of the country. Is there a threat to Bratsk and what to do to protect yourself?
A dangerous virus is imported from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Ukraine, epidemiologists say. There are no cases in Bratsk yet. But the risks of catching measles are high, since one infected person can infect 40 people at once. And no personal protective equipment and preventive measures will save. The virus is easily transmitted by airborne droplets – even through the ventilation system of an apartment building.
Svetlana KUNEKOVA, Epidemiologist, City Hospital No. 5 of Bratsk: “If a person with measles gets into a team where people are not vaccinated or have not had this infection, then, accordingly, 100% of these people will get sick. But the most important thing is that measles gives quite serious complications. These are pneumonia, encephalitis, meningitis, and there are so-called remote complications, that is, when a person seems to have had a severe form of measles, but neurological manifestations begin in six months or a year..
Symptoms of the disease, as with SARS – runny nose, redness of the throat, cough, temperature under 40. And already on the third or fourth day, a pale pink rash appears in the mouth, on the face and behind the ears, which gradually spreads to the whole body. And the mucous membrane of the eye becomes inflamed, as with conjunctivitis. In a severe course of the disease, a person can die. The total incubation period lasts from 10 days to three weeks. Therefore, the most effective way to protect yourself from measles is to get vaccinated. Recently, the first, second, third and fifth hospitals received 500 doses of the vaccine.
Svetlana KUNEKOVA, Epidemiologist, City Hospital No. 5 of Bratsk: “The vaccine we use is live measles. That is, it is a weakened virus. Permanent immunity remains until the end of life if a person has vaccination and revaccination. Children are usually vaccinated and revaccinated at 1 year and at 6 years. And the adult population, especially those born in the 1970s and 1980s, is usually neither sick nor vaccinated. That is, this is precisely the most dangerous stratum of the population that can give an outbreak of the disease..
Vaccination for adults takes place in two stages, with an interval of three months. Before entering the vaccination room, patients receive a doctor’s clearance. So did Natalia today.
Natalia, vaccinated against measles: “Due to the fact that some kind of situation is beginning in the country, I think it will not be superfluous to put, to warn. He came, set up and went to do his business “.
Among the contraindications are exacerbation of diseases, pregnancy, allergic reactions to antibiotics and other drugs. In general, the vaccine is well tolerated, doctors say. And if there are side effects, then minor – fever and malaise. The most important thing is that immunity is developed immediately.
You can take an immunization course both individually, on a first-come, first-served basis on weekdays, and collectively. This is what mobile teams are for. Several enterprises have already applied for the name of the chief doctor of the hospital.