Karachi, as the cold weather intensifies, measles has started to affect children. According to health experts, the symptoms of measles include a runny nose, fever, cough, red eyes, and rashes appearing on the skin. Without vaccination, this disease can be fatal.
Doctors have warned that measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads quickly from one child to another. Parents are advised to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles at 9 months and 18 months of age to protect them from this dangerous disease.
Keeping the infected child isolated and providing Vitamin A can help reduce the severity of the illness. Health experts have urged parents to consult a doctor immediately if any unusual symptoms appear.
Pediatric specialist Dr. Liaquat Ali told Express News that with the changing weather, viral diseases, including measles, are on the rise among children. Measles can be prevented through vaccination, but if treatment is delayed, it can become dangerous. The initial symptoms of measles include a runny nose, cough, fever, and red eyes. After three to seven days, rashes appear on the child’s face and gradually spread to the rest of the body.
Measles spreads rapidly and can easily be transmitted from one child to another. However, if the child has received the measles vaccine and is given Vitamin A, the chances of complications and death are significantly reduced. A single dose of Vitamin A reduces the risk of death by 50%. However, if the child is malnourished or in poor physical condition, measles can be life-threatening.
Parents should ensure that their children’s vaccination schedule is strictly followed. The Sindh government provides free measles vaccination for children at 9 months and 18 months of age. If symptoms of measles appear, parents should consult a specialist doctor immediately and keep the affected child isolated from other children to prevent further spread.
Dr. Ali also mentioned that while measles eventually resolves on its own, vaccination ensures that the disease does not lead to complications like pneumonia.
