Abuja – Dr. Ekanma Ojong, a paediatrician, said that measles that were not treated properly could lead to blindness.
Ojong said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
She said that measles was an airborne disease that spreads easily through coughs and sneezes of infected patients.
The expert explained that the disease could also be contracted through the saliva and nasal secretions of an infected person.
According to her, children who are not immuneel and shares a living space with the infected person could also contract the disease.
“The infection spreads between four days before to four days after rash.
“Also the infection normally happens once in a life time of a child and if not treated well the infection will repeat itself.
“Measles is caused by measles virus that replicates in the nose and throat of an infected child.
“Immune deficiency is a contributory factor to measles infection in children.
“Contact to patient with the epidermis and Vitamin A deficiency causes measles infection,’’ Ojong said.
However, the physician stated that the preventive measures to this disease have to start with the vaccination and oral rehydration solution to help prevent measles.
She added that eating healthy food and medications that controls high fever could help prevent measles in children.
Ojong said that Vitamin A supplementation was also important in the prevention of measles in children.
The physician advised the use of paracetamol (analgesic) for children to reduce fever and pains, and a medication to dilate the airways for cough in the treatment of measles.
Besides, he recommended the use of Vitamin A in treating measles in order to reduce the risk of blindness.
He advised individuals travelling to developing countries where measles are common to take precaution as they are more likely at risk of catching the disease.
Measles affect about 20 million people a year, primarily in the developing areas of Africa and Asia.
