Transmission of Measles
Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Also, measles virus could live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed
.According to the information provided by Indira Gandhi children’s Hospital authorities, Kabul city, about 9-20 children infected with measles is taken daily only to that hospital for treatment.
AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some parents and a doctor about the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of measles.
A mother, Sultana Hashimi says: “my daughter was infected with measles. Her health condition became worse and finally, she died.”
Shahbaz, a resident of Kapisa province says: “my child is infected with measles. He is suffering from coughing and fever. One of my children died of measles infection.”
Doctor Shirnawaz Mandozai, a Pediatrician at Indira Gandhi children’s hospital says: “ measles infected child suffers from fever; small rashes appear on her/his skin or on the ears and then these spots spread to the neck, face, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Throat sore and eyes redness are also the signs of measles in children. The child might suffer from diarrhea and vomiting and if not treated on time, the patient might die.”
What do people think about the causes of measles infection?
Qadir Khan, a resident of Kapisa province says: “it’s a kind of viruses that transfers through the air and my child was infected with it.”
Habibullah Wardak says: “I was infected with measles and then it transferred to my children and other members of my family.”
Doctor Mandozai says: “the main cause of measles is a virus that exists in the environment. The measles almost appears on the neck and then spread to the other parts of the body. When a person infects with measles in a family and if not protected well, the virus might transfer to the other members of the family. The virus of measles spread through using share cups, dishes, and a shared towel. Weak, sick and malnutrition children are more likely to be infected with measles.”
How could people prevent measles?”
Qadir Khan says: “When my child was infected with measles, I separated his living room and dishes and took him to the hospital for treatment and I was giving him fresh fruits and he recovered soon.”
Suraya Himat says: “I obeyed no diets and I was giving my children liquids; dairies and vegetables soup and I always refresh the atmosphere of the living rooms.”
Doctor Mandozai says: “the measles patient must be taken to the hospital or a physician for essential treatment. The parents should separate all material of the patient and should keep away the patient from other members of the family.”