Title: Everything You Need to Know About the Measles

Bibliography:

Higuera, V. (2019). Everything you need to know about the measles. Retrieved from:
https://www.healthline.com/health/measles#symptoms

Summary:

Measles has infected several children around the globe which resulted to more than 110
000 deaths last 2017. Children, most especially those who are aged 5 and below, who are
unvaccinated have a high risk of developing the disease. Measles is a virus which cannot
reproduce by itself, hence it needs a host cell to do so. It enters the human through the nose,
mouth, or eyes wherein its infection would start in the lungs. For the first 10 days or so, the
person that is infected by measles could still not experience any symptoms due to the immune
system’s act of making the infected cells undergo apoptosis or cell death. Measles virus,
however, also infects the dendritic cells where the cell could travel to the lymph nodes,
spreading all throughout the virgin T and the B cells and infecting them. Hence, the system that
is supposed to fight the virus would be infected, making Measles a dreadful disease. In this
point, everything would be fast paced as the lymph system would be spreading the virus and
enters the bloodstream, infecting the other travelling cells. Hence, organs such as the spleen,
intestines, lungs, and the liver are at a very high risk of infection.

The symptoms of the virus include a high fever, runny nose, cough, red and watery
eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks during its initial stage. Days later, the person
infected would develop erupted rash that reaches both hands and feet. All these would occur in
the span of 4-7 days after 10-12 asymptomatic days from the exposure of the virus. Measles is
a very contagious disease and just like the present Coronavirus, it is spread by coughing,
sneezing, and without social distancing. Since the lungs’ line of defense is breached and
disrupted, this could cause an entrance to other infections that would cause Pneumonia, which
is the main cause of death of those who have measles. There are also different types measles
infection such as Atypical where pneumonia commonly occurs as one of the symptoms,
Modified measles which are deemed to be milder than other cases, and Hemorrhagic measles
which includes seizures and bleeding of the skin and mucus membrane as its symptoms.
Measles, or Rubeola, also has its difference from Rubella, or the German measles. The
diseases come from two different viruses and Rubella is not as contagious as Rubeola.

In line with this, there is of course prevention for the measles. First and foremost is the
Vaccination which is by far the best way to solve the case with 97% effectiveness. Measles,
Mumps, and Rubella or the MMR vaccine and the Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella or
the MMRV vaccines are deemed to be effective in treating the disease. Both vaccines are of the
same use as what is stated in their acronyms, only that the MMRV could also be used against
chickenpox. Children can be vaccinated at 12 months or sooner and have their second dose at
4-6 years old. Contraindications for the vaccine include those who are allergic or who has a life-
threatening reaction from the vaccine, pregnant women, immunocompromised or with
HIV/AIDS, and those who are undergoing cancer treatment. Other than vaccination, proper
handwashing, avoidance of utensil sharing and social distancing to those who have the disease
is also advised.

Reaction:

The article contained complete information about the disease and is also medically
reviewed. Hence, it is a trustworthy article. It includes symptoms, causes, diagnoses, treatment,
prevention, and prognosis of the disease. I, myself, have not had measles because I was
vaccinated when I was young. My sister on the other hand has experienced it when she was 12
years old. She verbalized “Mainit na sobrang kati sa katawan” when I asked her about how it felt
having the disease. She was hospitalized for days and said that it was a dreadful experience for
her. Upon reading the article, I realized how dangerous airborne diseases are. Other than
Measles, Coronavirus is also an airborne disease which is still at large even in the present. I
seldom get sick, thus I don’t really know the extent of its danger. I am also almost always
cooped up at home ever since the quarantine started and my experience from these diseases is
little to none. When my sister got it, I was away from home and in Davao taking classes. Hence,
I was not able to see firsthand how my sister endured the pain she had felt. I also thought of
how difficult it would be to have the lungs infected with never-ending coughs and the possibility
of Pneumonia which would make things worse. I, myself, never experienced these types and
made me realize how important it is to cover my mouth when someone sneezes or coughs.
 I could not see any negative impacts about the article as I don’t think I could go against a
writing that is already medically proven. There are also mentioned interventions in the article
such as measles vaccine to be given within 72 hours of exposure, and a dose of
immunoglobulin to be taken within 6 days of exposure. With a recommendation of the doctor,
medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for fever could also be taken.
Other intervention include proper amount of rest, increased oral fluid intake, humidifiers to ease
cough and sore throat, and intake of Vitamin A supplements for the immune system.