Measles Risk Patient Information
Currently, there is a small number of measles cases in Greater Manchester and although no cases in Salford currently we want to make all patients aware of the symptoms to look and offer practical and infection control advice.
Measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals and young infants. It is also more severe in pregnancy, and increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or preterm delivery.
UK Health Security Agency have also highlighted young people aged 18 – 24 at increased risk.
Transmission is primarily person-to-person by airborne respiratory droplets that disperse rapidly when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Transmission can also occur through direct contact with infected secretions. The virus remains contagious in the air or on contaminated surfaces for up to two hours. A patient is infectious from four days before the start of the rash to four days after its appearance. There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles, but most people recover within 2-3 weeks.
Anyone with symptoms that could be measles is advised to stay at home and not attend their GP practice. This is because measles spreads very quickly and easily and so it is important to try and prevent the illness spreading further. People who have symptoms should also especially try to stay away from areas where you could come into contact with vulnerable people such as schools, nurseries or care homes.
Measles symptoms to be aware of include:
1. high fever
2. sore, red, watery eyes
3. coughing
4. aching and feeling generally unwell
5. a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.
For more information about measles, go to:
Home:: Healthier Together (what0-18.nhs.uk)
Measles: resources for local government – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)