The child was admitted two days ago to an isolation room at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center's Department of Pediatrics after his condition deteriorated due to the disease. He was classified as severe but stable, and after intensive treatment, he began to improve gradually. The child was not vaccinated. He evidently contracted the infection at a community clinic he visited about a week ago.
Dr. Amir Hadash, a pediatric intensive care physician who treated the little boy, said, "The child was in poor condition when he arrived, and fortunately, he improved under the treatment we provided. Measles is an extremely contagious disease, with complications that can include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia - all of which can lead to serious illness and even death. It takes approximately 14 days from exposure to the virus until symptoms appear, followed by fever, weakness, runny nose, cough and more. The disease is also accompanied by a characteristic rash on the skin, neck, limbs and abdomen. When the disease appears, treatment addresses symptoms according to their severity, such as administering fluids, providing respiratory support and more. If additional infections develop, antibiotics are also given, and of course additional supportive care."
Pediatrics Division Director, Prof. Adi Klein, said, "We have recently seen an increase in measles cases throughout the country. The most important treatment is preventive, or in other words - vaccination. It's also possible to treat with passive immunization after exposure to a confirmed patient. In any case, vaccination at all ages is exceptionally important to prevent an outbreak of a disease that is highly contagious and dangerous. I urge the general public not to wait and to go get vaccinated according to requirements."
Photo for illustrative purposes: Pexels, Vika Glitter
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