Dr Gill

Coping with... MEASLES

This highly contagious viral airborne infection is prevented by effective vaccines

Measles affects the respiratory tract and the central nervous system, causing otitis media, pneumonia, bronchitis, convulsions, encephalitis and blindness. One in 25,000 will get the severe brain injury subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

Measles tends to be more severe in the high risk group – infants under one year, pregnant women, adults and those with suppressed immunity.

Since the introduction of vaccination, measles was rare until in recent years, when unfounded vaccine scares have led some parents choosing not to have their children vaccinated. It is this group that’s at higher