Measles Outbreak: Information for Community Pharmacy
Published: 25/01/24

Our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have brought to our attention a recent outbreak of measles.
Whilst we believe numbers presenting to community pharmacies will be low, we would like to make you aware of what can be provided under the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, if such cases arise:
Under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland we can provide the following symptom management and advice:
provide paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve fever, aches and pains – aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years old
drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
close the curtains to help reduce light sensitivity
use damp cotton wool to clean the eyes
Further Information
Measles, which is spread through tiny droplets from the nose and mouth, is highly infectious and can be very unpleasant, affecting people of any age if they have not been vaccinated. It can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
A few measles cases have been reported across other parts of the UK and Europe this year. While there have been very few recent cases of measles in Scotland, there remains a risk of infection in those who have only received one dose, or no doses, of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Having two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to be fully protected against measles.
Symptoms of Measles
As more people are turning to the NHS Pharmacy First service for advice about their health, we thought we would recap the typical symptoms of measles, which develop around 10 days after infection, below:
cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough
sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light
watery eyes
swollen eyes
a high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40°C (104°F)
small greyish-white spots in the mouth
aches and pains
loss of appetite
tiredness, irritability, and a general lack of energy
measles rash:
appears around 2 to 4 days after the initial symptoms and normally fades after about a week.
is made up of small red-brown, flat or slightly raised spots that may join together into larger blotchy patches
usually first appears on the head or neck, before spreading outwards to the rest of the body
is slightly itchy for some people
Further information on measles and the MMR vaccine, how to manage symptoms, and when to seek further medical assistance, can be found on NHS Inform: Measles | NHS inform and MMR against measles | NHS inform.
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