[Re-emergence of measles in the province of Guadalajara, Spain. Is it time to establish new strategies for its elimination?]

Adverse events of vaccines and the consequences of non-vaccination: a critical review

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the risks related to vaccines and the impacts of non-vaccination on the world population.

METHODS

This is a narrative review that has considered information present in the bibliographic databases NCBI-PubMed, Medline, Lilacs, and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), between November 2015 and November 2016. For the analysis of outbreaks caused by non-vaccination, we considered the work published between 2010 and 2016.

RESULTS

We have described the main components of the vaccines offered by the Brazilian public health system and the adverse events associated with these elements. Except for local inflammatory reactions and rare events, such as exacerbation of autoimmune diseases and allergies, no causal relationship has been demonstrated between the administration of vaccines and autism, Alzheimer's disease, or narcolepsy. On the other hand, the lack of information and the dissemination of non-scientific information have contributed to the reemergence of infectious diseases in several countries in the world and they jeopardize global plans for the eradication of these diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

The population should be well informed about the benefits of vaccination and health professionals should assume the role of disseminating truthful information with scientific support on the subject, as an ethical and professional commitment to society.

Measles in adults during an outbreak in Spain: hospitalization associated with gastrointestinal and liver involvement

INTRODUCTION

Measles is a viral infection that affects skin and other organs and systems.

METHODS

We collected retrospectively the characteristics of 147 consecutive adult patients with measles during an outbreak in Spain (January-June 2012).

RESULTS

They complained of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in 48.3, 39.5 and 27.2 %, respectively. The liver was involved in 67.5 % of patients. Thirty-eight patients (25.9 %) were admitted to the hospital. Associated with hospital admission were dyspnea [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 49.8], abnormal alanine aminotransferase (aOR: 29), odynophagia (aOR: 12.5) and vomiting (aOR: 58).

CONCLUSION

Gastrointestinal and liver involvement in adults with measles is common.