Measles – the forgotten disease returns

Recently, I have been observing more and more cases of measles among children. This is worrying, because this disease has been practically invisible for the last few decades. Many of us, pediatricians, especially the younger ones, could have trouble making the correct diagnosis.

So let me remind you: Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that manifests itself, among others, with fever, rash and cough. The virus is transmitted through droplets, i.e. when a sick person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms of measles can initially be similar to a cold, but they quickly become more severe and include:

• high fever,
• cough,
• runny nose,
• conjunctivitis, and
• characteristic skin spots that initially appear on the face and spread throughout the body.

Recognizing measles can be difficult, so it’s important for you, as parents, to pay attention to the symptoms in your children and contact a doctor immediately if you suspect infection.

Measles can lead to serious complications, such as:

• pneumonia
• ear infection
• encephalitis
• unfortunately, even death
  ⁣

That is why vaccination against measles is a key element of prevention and protection for our children and those who, despite vaccination, have not developed immunity, e.g. children after treatment for leukemia and other serious diseases.

Dr Aleksandra Gajecka
Pediatrician in Malta

• Treatment of sick children
• Protective baby and childhood vaccinations
• Health check-ups
• Care for the development of healthy children
• Counseling in children’s physical and mental development
• Online consultations regarding the possibilities of effective diagnostics
• Preliminary diagnostics and referring patients to specialists for in-depth diagnostics
• Issuing documents and certificates needed for nurseries, schools and educational institutions