What is measles?
Well first it is a common condition that we relate too in young children like that of chicken pox whooping cough rubella etc. Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases caused by paramyxo virus and the symptoms are of the most unpleasant sort and quite alarmingly one of the most dangerous of all children's diseases that result in a rash. This is due to the complications of the disease.
Because it is a very contagious condition it is hard to prevent your child catching the measles if an epidemic is going round. However if some one close has the measles you can keep your children away from the sick person until they have recovered after receiving treatment. How measles are transmitted. Droplets transfer the infection. Although the sick patient maybe confined/quarantined to specific quarters in the home i.e. totally isolated from others, measles can still spread. Infants up to four months of age will not be infected if their mother has had measles herself because they will be protected by her antibodies.
Recovery can take up to 14 days. This is usually the norm for when the infection was contracted to the outbreak of the condition. Measles is still infectious from about four days before the onset of the rash until five days after it appears. The most important thing to do when you have young children is to monitor there condition, if you see signs or symptoms of what you may believe to be that of measles or any other abnormal behaviours in your child, consult your doctor..
After about 14 days symptoms appear in the way of those listed below..
A fever at about 39ºC.
A Runny nose (Cold)
Bouts of course coughing
Tender sore throat - the lymph nodes in the throat may swell.
The eyes redden and become sensitive to bright lights
Measles symptoms need to be monitored so as not to mistake or confuse them with any other illness. Greyish spots, the size of grains of sand may appear in the mucous membrane of the mouth just around the molar teeth. These are called Koplik's spots and can be seen before the rash appears.
Temperature of the patient can fluctuate (up and down) - after three to four days a decrease in the patient’s temperature can occur, however it can run high again when the rash appears.
Measles rash usually develops around the ears and spreads to the body and legs within a day or two. Measles spots are very tiny pimply like to begin with but can double in size rapidly and join together. Appearance of the spots is of a clear red. Temperature can reach as high as 40ºC, staying that way for about 48 hours. When it disappears together with the rash, there may be visibility of brownish spots left behind. Before the child returns to playschool or big school they will have to be given the all clear by your doctor to say they are fit and healthy and that the disease is fully cured so as not to cause problems. (Infecting others)
The doctor should give children under the age of one who are exposed to the disease an immunity injection within five days. Today children are inoculated against measles. The MMR vaccination is offered to children aged between 12 and 15 months. Other conditions like mumps and rubella are also treated this way. If your child has measles then tuck them up in bed, dim the lights and do not have the room to hot. If you see any deterioration in your Childs health the doctor should be consulted immediately. It is best to have the doctor determine that pneumonia or other ailments is not the cause for the sick child not getting better.
If a person has had measles, they can never catch it again as the disease gives lifelong immunity.
Suffering from measles during pregnancy can result in an infection of the unborn child which can result in death of the baby. Find out more on this from your GP. It is always best to have a doctor determine a condition so that the right medication can be prescribed. Not all over the counter medicines may be appropriate for your sick child’s illness. |
