Despite the fact that measles is called a childhood illness, adults can become infected with it. It is a viral infection, therefore, in contact with the patient there is a high probability of infection with it. Usually this disease is accompanied by weakness, fever, specific rash. Sometimes it passes without consequences, but in some cases dangerous complications are possible, including encephalitis, pneumonia, complete or partial loss of vision, etc.
Having overcome measles once, a person receives a fairly high immunity, so repeated diseases are rare. But is it worth the risk of health, hoping that the disease will go smoothly and without consequences ?! After all, today there is a measles vaccine that will minimize the chance of getting sick.
Vaccination can be effective during epidemics, if vaccinated in the first three days after contact with an infected person. For preventive purposes, this procedure is carried out at the age of about a year, and in countries where there is a high risk of getting sick, at 6-9 months, since in children the disease is extremely difficult.
The most common combination vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. In Russia, the following drugs are used: domestic (mumps-measles vaccine) and foreign (Belgian "Priorix" and American "MMR-2"). If we talk about mono-vaccines, it should be noted the French medicine “Ruvaks” and the Russian measles vaccine. Their compositions are different, however, everyone has a high level of formation of immunity to these diseases, and all of them are easily tolerated by the body.
An imported measles vaccine differs from a domestic one in that it is made (in most cases) on the basis of a chicken egg, which means it has such a contraindication as chicken protein intolerance. Russian producers use Japanese quail embryos instead, a component that is why allergic reactions are less likely to occur.
The advantage of a combination vaccine is to protect against three diseases at once. From such drugs, less ballast substances enter the baby's body, in addition, the number of injections is reduced, and, accordingly, the child experiences less stress.
Foreign production of measles vaccine is used in paid clinics and centers. The Russian drug is administered free of charge in the clinic at the place of residence (according to the calendar of preventive vaccinations). If the child has not been vaccinated before or has not developed sufficiently stable protection after the first vaccination, then they are again invited to the clinic at the age of 6 (in front of the school).
Any measles vaccine has certain contraindications. Vaccination is not done if there is an acute or chronic disease in the acute stage. The drug is not recommended if after the first vaccination they had serious complications or allergic reactions appeared. It is worth delaying with an injection if children are simultaneously receiving therapy with drugs that lower immunity. Contraindications and cancer.
Sometimes the temperature may rise and a mild rash may appear in babies who have been given the measles vaccine. The instruction for the drug notes that this is a normal reaction. It can last up to three days, after which the condition stabilizes.
It should be noted that the vaccine (in most cases) is done by a vaccine, which is based on weakened strains of the virus. Therefore, reactions such as cough and runny nose may also occur. If they are not too strong, then do not confuse them with complications and treat them. A vaccinated child or adult is not contagious to others (the exception is sick people or with weak immunity).