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WHAT  IS  MEASLES?

 

Measles is caused by a highly infectious virus found throughout the world. Although it was once a common childhood disease, measles is now rare due to a more effective immunisation programme.

 

• The incubation period (the time since the first contact with the disease to the appearance of any symptoms) is about 10-14 days, and the rash often appears on the 14th day after exposure. 
• Measles is infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash. 

Who is at risk?

 

Anyone not vaccinated or immune against the disease is vulnerable.

 

• Measles is a very contagious disease and is spread by droplets of fluid. You can catch the disease from someone sneezing or even talking. If you enter a room an hour after a person with measles has left it, you can still catch measles from them because the droplets will be in the air.
• Unless you have a disease affecting the immune system, e.g. leukaemia or HIV, once you have had measles you cannot catch it again. 
• Measles can cause a pregnant woman to miscarry or to give birth prematurely 

SYMPTOMS

 

Your child will develop a fever of 39.5-40°C (1 03-1 04°F) ­reaching its peak on day four or five.

• Your child will have a cough, runny nose, and red, sore eyes. 
• Small, white spots appear inside the cheek called 'Koplik's spots', which are only ever seen in measles. 
• The rash appears as red, flat spots which join up to form irregular patches. 
• As the rash appears, your child's temperature rises rapidly al)d he becomes very ill. He may complain of earache, swollen glands it;! his neck, tummy ache and diarrhoea. 

When to see the doctor

 

Some children with measles have relatively mild symptoms and suffer no complications. However, you should get medical assistance if you suspect your child is seriously ill.

Call your doctor immediately if:

 

• Breathing becomes laboured.
• Your child cannot be woken or becomes confused. . He starts shaking or fitting.
• He develops a severe headache or neckache.
• Your child seems extremely ill. 

Call your doctor within 24 hours if: Your child has a severe earache.

• His fever persists for more than four days after the appearance of the rash.
• He is unable to keep down fluids because of vomiting, or if he has severe diarrhea. 

Immunization

Children can be immunized against measles as part of the MMR vaccination programme at about 12-15 months and three to five years of age. It is safe and effective, although your child may get a small swelling at the spot where the injection is given and he may have a fever which can last for seven to 10 days. He may also have a mild reaction to the vaccination, such as a slight rash, swollen glands or, rarely, a swelling of the joints.

 

Immunising your child against measles - part of the MMR vaccination at around 72-75 months - offers the best defence against this potentially fatal disease.

 

What you can do at home

 

There is no specific treatment for measles. Unless you suspect: any complication (in which case you should call the doctor) keep your child at home, especiallY.1n the early stages, When she is most infectious.

 

Keep your child well hydrated with regular drinks

Ensure your child has plenty of rest, preferably in bed

If your child has a cough, which is bad enough to hinder sleep, offer cough sweets or cough mixture.

Give infant paracetamot if your child’s temperature is high and she feels miserable.

There was a belief that measles could cause children to go blind, but this 'is no Hrue.l-lowever, if your child is disturbed by bright light, she may be more comfortable if you close the curtains. 

Complications

 

The rate of complications and death from measles in the UK has dropped dramatically this century, due to the vaccine and improved housing conditions, sanitation and nutrition of children. However, there are still several complications that make measles a very serious, even life-threatening disease.

 

Gastroenteritis and diarrhea: very common and can last for several weeks, specially an undernourished child.

 

Encephalitis (brain inflammation): rare and extremely dangerous, occurring seven to 10 days after the beginning of the illness, when the child develops a headache, neckache or even backache, feels drowsy and starts vomiting. In later stages, the child may even suffer fits.

Convulsions: due to the fever caused by measles.

 

Pneumonia: treated with antibiotics and/or hospital treatment.

 

Corneal Ulcer: the initial inflammation of the conjunctiva can lead to a more severe breakdown of the front of the eye, which may cause blindness

 

Thrombocytopenia: measles may attack the child's immune system by causing a big drop in white blood cells. This may result in bleeding under the skin and bruising.

Subacute scelorising panencephalitis (SSPE): a very rare, late complication of measles that occurs four to 10 years after the measles infection. It causes a slow deterioration of the child's nervous system, which is usually fatal.

 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.