Measles is a highly contagious disease that has been making news recently due to a major outbreak in Birmingham and Coventry that has primarily affected children under 10 years of age. This outbreak has led to several hospitalizations, and as such, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, Professor Matt Ashton, has expressed concern that measles could easily spread throughout the country and eventually arrive in Liverpool. He stresses the need for parents to be well-informed about measles and the MMR vaccination so they can better protect their children.
Measles is a particularly nasty infection that can make people very sick, particularly those who are already vulnerable. The infection typically starts with a high fever and cold symptoms alongside red eyes, followed by a rash that spreads all over the body. It is one of the most infectious diseases in the world and spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. Pregnant women, young babies, and the immunocompromised are particularly at risk of complications, which can include pneumonia, brain infections, and even death.
The infectiousness of measles is not to be taken lightly—it has an incredibly high R value, which means it can easily spread to others very quickly. In fact, one person infected with measles can pass it on up to 15 other people. By comparison, the R value for COVID-19 is 3, the flu is 1.7 and the common cold is 8. With measles being so infectious, it only takes a few unprotected individuals to allow the disease to spread within a community.
Fortunately, there is a safe and effective way to protect against measles: the MMR vaccine. This vaccine is available for free on the NHS, and anyone with children who need catch-up vaccines can book an appointment with their GP. For those who are not registered with a GP, they can find their nearest practice and register in order to receive the vaccine. For further information on measles, the MMR vaccine, and how to protect against the disease, visit the NHS website
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