Measles has once again drawn public attention following reports of several child deaths in Sumenep, Madura, sparking concerns and discussion on social media. In response, the Center for Tropical Medicine at UGM featured Dr. dr. Rr. Ratni Indrawanti, Sp.A(K), a consultant in pediatric infectious and tropical diseases at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, in TropmedAsk #6 to answer public questions and provide reliable information on measles, including who can be affected, its symptoms, risks, and prevention.

One of the questions focused on how to recognize measles. According to dr. Ratni, measles commonly begins with high fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by a reddish rash that usually appears around the third or fourth day and spreads from the face to the rest of the body. Another characteristic sign is Koplik spots, small white spots inside the mouth. However, she emphasized that not every fever accompanied by a rash is measles, and proper medical examination is still necessary to establish a diagnosis.

A major focus of the discussion was immunization as the primary means of preventing measles. The measles or MR (Measles-Rubella) vaccine provides strong protection against measles, although vaccination does not completely eliminate the possibility of infection. Dr. Ratni also highlighted the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage within the community to support herd immunity and reduce the risk of transmission. Children who have been vaccinated may still contract measles, but their symptoms are generally milder.

The discussion also addressed the risks of measles during pregnancy. Measles infection during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and measles infection in newborns. Therefore, women are advised to receive the MMR vaccine before pregnancy, ideally at least one month beforehand.

Schools also have an important role when a measles case is identified. Contact tracing, health checks for children who develop symptoms, and ensuring complete immunization are among the measures that should be taken. Children with measles should stay home while they are still infectious to help prevent further transmission. Schools are also encouraged to strengthen environmental hygiene and provide information to students and parents about measles symptoms and prevention.

Through TropmedAsk, the Center for Tropical Medicine at UGM continues to provide the public with accessible and reliable health information while addressing questions and concerns that arise on social media.

Please check out the full version of TropmedAsk #6: Measles here.