After high fever, Hanoi girl has critical encephalitis due to measles

Associate Professor, Dr. Do Duy Cuong, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, said that patient D.HV, 28 years old, lives in Hoan Kiem, Hanoi but lives and works in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City - where there is a measles epidemic but does not remember whether he has been vaccinated against measles or not.

During the recent Lunar New Year, the patient suddenly had a high fever, and after 3 days a rash appeared with loose stools, red eyes, watery eyes, and runny nose.

The patient was taken to Hong Ngoc Hospital, Hanoi by his family for treatment with a diagnosis of measles rash fever. After 3 days of treatment, the patient had difficulty communicating, disorientation, and urinary retention, so he was transferred to Bach Mai Hospital on February 17.

The measles patient is an adult being treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital.

At the time of admission, patient V. had a high fever, impaired consciousness, and many bruises on his skin due to the measles rash that had not yet faded. Cerebrospinal fluid test results showed that the patient had measles-induced encephalitis.

According to Associate Professor Cuong, post-measles encephalitis is a rare complication, this is the first case of this complication in 2019.

"The patient's condition is currently quite serious due to impaired consciousness, requiring oxygen and is being monitored in the emergency resuscitation room," Associate Professor Cuong informed.

According to the Ministry of Health's protocol, measles patients with encephalitis complications need to be prescribed supportive treatment with immune immunoglobulin (IVIg), which is a very expensive drug.

If treated actively, the disease can be cured but there is also a risk of death or after recovery it will leave sequelae affecting brain, mental and physical development.

Currently, measles outbreaks are occurring in 43/63 provinces and cities in both adults and children due to lack of measles vaccination or incomplete vaccination.

At Bach Mai Hospital, from the end of 2018 until now, due to unusual weather, the Infectious Diseases Department has received many measles cases in adults, many severe cases with special conditions such as pregnant women and chronic diseases.

Measles usually heals on its own, however in many cases there are complications such as otitis media, pneumonia, diarrhea, malabsorption, vitamin A deficiency which can lead to blindness, encephalitis...

The most effective way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated. Currently, there are very safe single or combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines available on the market.

When having measles, people need to practice respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, isolate sick people and limit contact with crowded places.

Early signs of malignant measles

(Baonghean.vn) - Measles is an acute infectious disease caused by the measles virus of the Paramyxoviridae family. The disease is transmitted through the respiratory tract and often becomes epidemic in the spring. The disease can occur in children and adults who do not have immunity to prevent the disease, it can cause dangerous complications.