Canada is seeing an increase in measles activity compared to 2023. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus which can cause serious health risks and challenges.
Symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after being infected with the measles virus. People infected with measles can spread it to others before they have symptoms.
Initial symptoms include:
fever
cough
runny nose
red, watery eyes
Small, white spots may appear inside the mouth and throat 2 to 3 days after symptoms begin.
About 3 to 7 days after symptoms begin, a rash that looks like small red spots:
develops on the face
spreads down the body, arms and legs
The rash can last 4 to 7 days.
Most people recover from measles within 2 or 3 weeks.
Common complications from measles include:
ear infection
pneumonia
diarrhea
Severe complications, while rare, can result from a measles infection, such as:
respiratory failure
inflammation and swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
death
Long-term complications of encephalitis can include:
blindness
deafness
intellectual disability
Measles can easily be spread to individuals who have not been previously infected or immunized against measles.
The virus is spread through the air and by contact with respiratory secretions from the nose and mouth. It can be prevented with vaccination.
It’s very important to diagnose measles early to help prevent it from spreading to other people.
Health care providers may suspect measles based on your symptoms and your possible exposure to the virus. For example, they may ask you if:
you’re aware of an outbreak in your community
you’ve had exposure to someone with measles
you’ve recently travelled to a place where measles is present
A health care provider will likely collect a sample to confirm the diagnosis with a lab test, which may include:
a blood test
a urine test
swabs from the back of your nose or throat
Your employer Spectrum Healthcare has asked you to follow the guidelines mentioned below :
If you suspect a patient may be infected, please follow these steps:
Wear PPE – mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection
Perform hand hygiene
Notify the Spectrum office
Notify Public Health
Also they have asked you to complete the Point of Care Risk assessment with the patient prior to beginning care.
Thank you for your attention and your continued dedication and following of “best practises” related to your work.
BE SAFE!!!
Credits : Government of Canada Website