In Karachi, with the beginning of the cold season, measles cases have risen.
Dozens of children are arriving at hospitals daily with symptoms of measles, including fever, cough, flu, redness of the eyes and rashes on the body. Pediatric experts have warned parents that measles is a rapidly spreading disease from an infected child to others, and without vaccination, it can not only cause pneumonia, brain inflammation and seizures (SSPE) but also prove fatal.
In this regard, pediatrician Dr Liaquat Ali stated that with the increase in cold intensity in Karachi, measles cases have surged. Dozens of patients with symptoms of measles are arriving at hospitals daily.
Symptoms of measles include flu, cough and fever along with red eyes and mouth ulcers. Measles causes rashes on the face and body. Measles mostly affects children under the age of five.
For protection against measles, the EPI provides two free doses of vaccine, which are administered at the ages of nine months and one and a half years.
Measles can still occur despite vaccination, but it is not severe. Lack of measles vaccination can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation and seizures. Due to severe measles, an affected child may suffer mental disability such as SSPE.
A dose of Vitamin A reduces the chances of death in children by up to fifty percent. Keeping the infected child isolated and seeking immediate medical help helps reduce the spread and complications of the disease.
