The public health department provides information on measles
Due to the current situation - the city of Leipzig has recorded an outbreak of measles - the Chemnitz Health Department would like to provide information on this highly contagious infectious disease transmitted by viruses.
What is measles? How is it transmitted?
Measles is an infectious disease that only occurs in humans and can be transmitted quickly to unprotected people through droplet infection when coughing, speaking or sneezing.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
After an incubation period of nine to twelve days, the first symptoms develop, initially in the form of signs of infection in the upper respiratory tract (fever, runny nose). Typical symptoms during this period are the appearance of chalky, so-called Koplik's spots on the cheek mucosa and photophobia due to inflammation of the conjunctiva. Sufferers should therefore lie in slightly darkened rooms. The disease is already contagious at this stage.
This is followed by the second phase of the disease, which is characterised by the typical brownish-pink rash, the so-called measles exanthema. Measles exanthema, which begins behind the ears and moves downwards over the body in four to seven days. When it subsides, it often leaves behind a "bran-like" scaling. High fever can also occur again during this phase.
The complications of this infectious disease are particularly feared, such as severe inflammation of the middle ears, lungs and brain, often with permanent damage.
How long are you contagious?
You are contagious about five days before the rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.
Who is particularly at risk?
Anyone without adequate immunisation can contract measles. Newborns and infants up to the age of 1, who are still too young to be immunised, are particularly vulnerable.
What else you should know....
Once you have had measles, you are protected against a new infection for the rest of your life. This applies primarily to those born before 1958.
What is the best way to protect yourself against measles?
The best protection against measles is vaccination against it. In the Free State of Saxony, a first combined vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella is currently publicly recommended from the age of 12 months and the second vaccination from the age of 5 years (vaccination calendar).
If necessary (incubation with measles), this second vaccination can also be given only four weeks before the first.
There is no age limit for a measles vaccination, i.e. all persons susceptible to measles can receive this standard vaccination from their family doctor.
The public health department hereby draws attention to the possible increased incidence of measles and appeals to parents, especially those who have not yet been vaccinated or not fully vaccinated, to co-operate on their own responsibility. Vaccination documents should be checked for completeness, the family doctor or paediatrician or the public health department will advise on this and vaccinate if necessary.