A doctor has shared on TikTok how to prevent the measles outbreak from spreading to your house – and key signs to look out for.
The Hertfordshire-based GP, who goes by Dr Sooj online, often shares tips online with his 60,000 followers.
Amid the ongoing rise in measles cases, the 32-year-old medical professional shared advice for staying protected from the disease – and how to spot if you’ve got it.
In the clip, the GP shared the six things people need to know amid the outbreak.
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SYMPTOMS TO MONITOR
In the clip, Dr Sooj says: “Measles is usually self-limiting, with symptoms that should [start to] resolve within a week.
“It starts with cold-like symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis – followed a few days later by a rash.
“There may be small white spots in the mouth.”
PREVENTION IS KEY
The doctor says: “Measles is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
“You can prevent the spread by using tissues to catch coughs or sneezes, then throw them in the bin, and wash your hands with soap and water.”
WHO’S VULNERABLE?
Dr Sooj says: “You might be at risk if you’ve had significant contact with an infected person.
“This means being in the same room as them for 15 minutes or more, or face-to-face contact.
“If you’re immunosuppressed, any level of contact is assumed to be significant.”
IF YOU HAVE MEASLES
For those who have the disease, the GP says: “You should stay away from work, nursery, or school for four days after the initial development of the rash.
“And avoid contact with susceptible people.”
SUSCEPTIBLE PEOPLE
As for those of who are more likely to catch the disease?
Dr. Sooj says: “Susceptible people are those who are not fully immunised through vaccination or natural exposure – infants, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.”
VACCINATION
Finally, the GP advises that you are “unlikely” to get the disease at all if you have had both MMR jabs.
He shared some further information for anyone concerned amid the ongoing outbreak.
“The rash typically starts around 4 days after the start of the cold and flu-like symptoms,” Dr Sooj told https://whatsthejam.com/.
“It usually begins on the face and behind the ears and spreads down the body.
“Measles is usually self-limiting, and symptoms should begin to improve within a week or so.
“Previous exposure to or infection with measles, and MMR vaccines, typically confer lifelong immunity to measles.
“However there can be complications which usually affect the respiratory tract or central nervous system and include: Otitis media (middle ear infection), pneumonia, pneumonitis, and tracheobronchitis (infections and inflammation within the lungs) […]
“[…] Convulsions, encephalitis, and blindness, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis – a rare but serious complication affecting about 1 in 25,000 people with measles.”
Dr Sooj previously made headlines revealing a bizarre condition called ‘no burp syndrome’ – which has some rather nasty side effects.
He shared with his followers the unusual condition – also known as retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction – which causes excessive flatulence, gurgling noises from the neck and chest, and, of course, the inability to belch.
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