23/02/2025
Some of us may wonder, why is measles such a dreaded disease if it just causes a self-limiting febrile rash?
Measles infection can also cause:
1. Miscarriage, preterm labor, low birth weight in affected pregnant women
2. Pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death in affected children
3. Acute encephalitis or swelling of the brain, which often results in neurologic deficits, that occurs in approximately 1 of every 1000 cases
4. A rare but fatal late onset denegerative central nervous system disease called Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) that occurs 7 to 11 years after infection
5. A pervasively blunted immune response to other pathogens including immune amnesia to previously encountered wild AND vaccine antigens that is associated with increased mortality several years after infection
Measles isn’t just a rash. Let us all work together to improve vaccination rates to protect vulnerable populations from this dreaded disease.
Dr. Giselle Mikhaela C. Enriquez-Briones
Pediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases Specialist
MPN Pedia Partner ❤️💛💙
Reference:
AAP Red Book 2024
Please consult your pediatrician or your local health center for your child's measles vaccine! ☺️
[LOOK] The Philippine Pediatric Society ( ) and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines ( ) call on healthcare providers and the public to increase all efforts to mitigate the spread of , including participating in intensified immunization programs of the Department of Health (Philippines).
Don't let measles spread... vaccinate your children and all those eligible! It is our best shot!
