Today on the occasion of “National Vaccination Day” we all will be knowing about measles and its prevention through vaccination in easy words. Before going into the topic let us thank to our frontline healthcare workers for ensuring vaccination to each & every child of our country.

Measles (commonly known as “হাম”) is a communicable or contagious disease. It is commonly found in children; however, it may affect anyone. It is caused by measles virus and is air borne disease which can be spread from an infected person to another. It is highly contagious in nature and 9 out of 10 children can be affected if they are not protected against vaccination and come contact with infected person.

How do you know it’s measles?

If you have a high fever, rash in your body, cough or running nose, inflamed eyes then it could be an early symptom for measles. The particular symptom is manifested from 7-18^th day of exposure in which rash is clearly visible usually on the face and upper neck.

What happens if not treated?

Complications may start with severe respiratory problems like- pneumonia, ear infections, encephalitis, blindness and even death.

How to know the risk factors for measles?

If the child is malnourished or have weak immunity, can easily get affected. In fact, measles weakens the immune system of the infected person. During pregnancy, the baby can be premature with a low birth rate and vulnerable to other disease due to low immunity.

Measles & rubella (MR) vaccine is highly recommended and effective in nature. Afterall, prevention is better than cure. In fact, before 1963 when the vaccine was not in existence millions of children died every year. MR vaccine is saving millions of lives every year globally. National Immunization Schedule of India recommended the first dose of MR at the age of 9 months to 12 months and second dose at 16-24 months.

So, if you encounter an infant or a child, ask her mother whether the baby is fully immunized with all the vaccinations including MR vaccine or not. For further details, check the National Immunization Schedule recommended by Government of India. Above all, “Health is wealth”.

Abhijeet Sinha

Assistant Professor

BBA (HM) Department, DAITM