Measles: hygiene measures and vaccination to protect against measles

Public-service tells you how to protect yourself from this disease and limit its spread.

What are the risks?

Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. It may present severe forms (respiratory insufficiency, neurological complications sometimes irreversible) requiring hospitalization and which may lead to death in the most serious cases.

The virus is transmitted through air, coughing, sneezing, blowing the nose, or contact with contaminated hands or objects. The period of contagion begins 5 days before the rash and lasts up to 5 days after the rash begins. An infected person can infect 15 to 20 people if there is insufficient vaccination coverage in the community.

How to prevent and fight measles?

Hygiene measures must be adopted to prevent the spread of the disease:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after every contact with your child or anyone who is sick;
• Teach your child to wash their hands properly and frequently;
• Wash your child’s nose with saline;
• Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when they sneeze or cough. If they do not have a tissue, teach them to cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve (at the elbow fold);
• Avoid kissing your child and deter siblings;
• Remove your child from the community they are going to during the period of contagiousness (at least 5 days after the eruption starts).

If you are infected yourself:

• Avoid going out, especially in public places;
• Wear a mask to limit the spread of the virus;
• Use disposable tissue and dispose of it in a covered garbage can;
• Clean the objects (toys, phone, computer keyboard, etc.) used;
• Do not share everyday objects with your loved ones (glasses, cutlery, etc.);
• Store the toothbrush after use and make sure no one else uses it;
• Ventilate your home at least once a day and keep the temperature at 19°C;
• Tell your family, social and professional contacts so that everyone can check if they have been properly vaccinated.

Vaccination is the best protection

Vaccination protects against disease in about 100% cases after 2 doses of vaccine. The treating physician is the point of contact with whom to take stock before a possible update of the vaccination of children and adults.

Since 1^er in january 2018, measles vaccination is one of 11 mandatory childhood vaccinations. Two injections of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR.) vaccine are needed for the child to be protected. The first injection should be given at one year and the second at sixteen to eighteen months.

Up to 18 years of age the vaccine is taken care of 100% by Health Insurance and at least 65% for all other insured persons.