A Simple Guide to Measles

A Simple Guide to Measles
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What is Measles?
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Measles is usually a contagious childhood infection caused by the measles virus, one of the paromyxovirus.
It is characterised by typical prodromal symptoms, generalised rash and Koplik's spots in the mouth.

Who is at risk for Measles?
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Any one at any age can contract measles but it usually occurs in childhood.
Spread is usually by infected persons either from mucous discharges from their coughing and sneezing, or from contact with their skin rash,contaminated items and surfaces.
Usually a person is contagious for about two days before symptoms appear, and up to five days after appearance of the rash.


What are the Symptoms of Measles?
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There is a prodromal peroid of 5 to 7 days after contact with a infected person.
Early symptoms include:
1.high fever

2.coughing,

3.runny nose, stuffy nose,

4.tiredness,

5.red eyes, tearing. ,

6.Koplik's spots (white spots with a red background , located on the inside of the cheeks near the back molars start to appear 2-4 days after the fever.

7.measles rash usually occurs after the appearance of the Koplik's spots.
The rash is typically red,maculopapular, and starts from behind the ears and face, then spreads downward to the neck, trunk, limbs, and soles. Once it reaches the soles, the rash begins to fade in about four days , first the head and neck, then trunk and limbs. There may be a brownish discoloration in areas of affected skin rashes but this is only temporary.

8. enlarged lymph glands may be felt in the neck and groins

9.inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis) with tearing may also occurs.

10. diarrhoea and vomiting may occurs in some patients.

Adults tend to suffer more severe symptoms than children do.

People who have had measles develop a natural immunity and cannot contract it again.

What are the Complications of Measles?
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1.Ear infection (Otitis Media) is a common complication of measles.

2.pneumonia in very young children and older patients may be dangerous.

3.encephalitis (brain infection)may ocur in 1 out of 600 patients putting them at risk of suffering seizures, coma or dying.

4.the digestive organs (including the liver),the heart muscle or the kidneys may be damaged in rare cases

A pregnant woman who develops a measles infection has
1.an increased risk of premature labour,

2.miscarriage

3.delivery of a low birth weight baby.

What is the Treatment for Measles?
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There is no cure for measles.
Treatment is therefore symptomatic.
Fever symptoms are treated with Paracetamol.
Children should not be given aspirin due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome which affects the brain

Itch may be controlled by antihistamines which can also help to relieve the runny nose.

Antibiotics may be given if there is superimposed secondary bacterial infection such as otitis emdia and pneumonia.

Cough mixtures may be given to relieve the cough.

Plenty of bed rest is necessary.

Lots of fluids helps to prevent dehydration.

A cool-mist humidifier to soothe respiratory passages may help.

Most patients recover completely from measles.

Death is extremely rare (one out of every 1000 cases), usually from pneumonia or encephalitis.

How do You prevent Measles?
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Measles can be prevented with the measles vaccine, which is usually given to children at the age of 15 months as part of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) combination.

A second MMR vaccine is now given at the age of 12 years.