Measles and complications in Germany

Measles and possible complications in Germany

07.11.2011

The measles are a highly contagious viral infectious disease. Typical of the disease is a course in two phases. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the incubation period, ie the time between infection and outbreak, is about 10 to 14 days. This is followed by a rather uncharacteristic phase, which lasts about three to four days. At this initial stage, measles express inflammation of the mucous membranes, such as runny nose, dry cough, and conjunctivitis. The symptoms in this phase are commonly referred to as „swollen, bewitched and rotten“ designated. This is usually accompanied by high fever to 41 degrees Celsius, nausea, headache and sore throat.

After the 12th and 14th day begins the second phase of the disease. Only then does the typically occurring dark red and large spot rash occur. After about four to five more days, the symptoms usually form back. Most of the time, there is a small, scaling of the skin, which has existed for only a short time. The course of the disease is much more severe in adults than in children. The virus infection occurs through a droplet transmission when an already infected person transmits saliva droplets to a healthy person by coughing, talking or kissing. Frequently observed complications include otitis media or pneumonia. Adequate medical treatment does not exist because it is a viral infection. However, those who have survived the measles, remain immune for a lifetime.

Increase in the infection rate in Germany
In Germany, experts of the RKI have identified a slight increase in the infection rate. While 780 measles cases were registered in the last year of 2010, 1,500 people already contracted in the first nine months of this year. According to the scientists of the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Langen, measles infections in Germany are on the rise again despite the relatively high penetration rate. Responsible for this is the spread of a highly infectious virus protein, which has only recently been discovered. According to the researchers, these are the so-called transmembrane protein nectin-4.

Rare but deadly consequences
One of the most dreaded sequelae of measles is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). In the process, viruses invade the brain, destroying vital neurons there. The escape time between the actual measles disease and the first appearance of the SSPE symptoms is between six and ten years. Physicians assume that the risk is highest when even very young children are confronted with the measles. Measles themselves rarely cause death. Complaints for a mortality are usually complications such as lung or brain inflammation. According to the RKI, the death rate is 1: 10,000 or 1: 20,000. US health authorities expect a much higher lethality. Here, a quota of 1: 500 to 1: 1000 per measles case is given. Since 2001, the disease is subject to reporting in Germany, reports Dr. med. Jan Leidel from the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) at the RKI. If a treating physician already only makes a presumptive diagnosis, this must be reported to the health department. People who have been in close contact with the patient are vaccinated within 72 hours if there is no adequate vaccine protection.

The RKI and the World Health Organization are calling parents to vaccine readiness. Children should be immunized until the age of 15 with two doses each. The first vaccine dose is usually given until the 14th month of life. The second vaccination takes place at the end of the second year of life. All adults who were born after 1970, should also fill a possibly existing Impflücke. Excluded from the vaccination recommendation are people with an immunodeficiency syndrome as well as women in pregnancy and lactation.

Some doctors and vaccine critics warn about possible vaccine complications and damage. Infrequent cases of vaccination have seen mild fever, headache, depression, mild pain and swelling at the injection site. In fact, serious side effects are very rare but still possible. These include pronounced allergic reactions, encephalitis and a drop in platelet count. Overall, the measles vaccine is considered safe and necessary. The researcher criticizes in specialist publications that inadequate studies of possible vaccine complications have been performed inadequately. (Sb)

Also read:
Why measles are contagious
Measles increasingly common in adults
Germany as a measles exporter
First death toll from measles for years
WHO: Measles Increase in Europe
Measles also affects adults
The infectious disease measles spreads
Impfkritik: How useful are vaccinations?

Picture: Aka