As cases of measles continue to increase across the country, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is offering advice about the signs to look out for and how to prevent the disease from striking.
Highly contagious
Rebecca Denton-Smith, the Trust’s deputy director of infection control, said: “Thankfully, we haven’t seen the stark increase in measles that some parts of the country are experiencing.
“However, measles is a highly contagious and serious condition and we advise parents to make sure their children have the MMR vaccine. It’s the best way to be protected.”
What to look for
The NHS advises being aware of the symptoms of measles, which include:
- a high temperature
- a runny or blocked nose
- sneezing
- a cough
- red, sore, watery eyes
- small white spots in the mouth
- a rash on the face and behind the ears, which spreads to the rest of the body
The MMR vaccine is safe
As well as good hand hygiene and disposing of used tissues, the safe and effective MMR vaccine offers protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
Rebecca Denton-Smith commented: “The MMR vaccine is part of the schedule of vaccinations for children but any parent who wants to check if their child has been vaccinated can call their GP surgery for advice.”
For further advice, please visit the NHS website.
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