A Simple Guide to Measles
--------------------------------
What is Measles?
---------------------
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?
--------------------------------
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?
-------------------------------------------
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?
------------------------------------------------
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?
------------------------------------------
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?
-------------------------------------
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.
Showing posts with label MMR vaccine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MMR vaccine. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
A Simple Guide to Mumps
A Simple Guide to Mumps
------------------------------
What is Mumps?
--------------------
Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection that causes painful swelling in the salivary glands (the glands which produce saliva) which include the parotid, submandibular and submental glands.
How is Mumps spread?
---------------------------
The mumps (paramyxovirus) virus is spread by coughing, sneezing and through the saliva of an infected person.
It can also be spread by contact with contaminated items and surfaces.
It is contagious 1 - 2 days before the appearance of symptoms to 1 - 2 days after the symptoms disappear.
The incubation period is about 18 days.
An attack gives lifelong immunity.
Who is infected in Mumps?
-------------------------------
Although mumps may affect adults, children between the ages of 5 - 15 years are most prone.
What are the Symptoms of Mumps?
-----------------------------------------
Symptoms
1.Prodromal symptoms such as fever, headache and sore throat
2.Facial pain and swelling
3.pain or lumps in their testicles
4.Abdominal pain
Signs:
1.Swollen and tender parotid glands in front of the ear, cheek and neck.
Submandibular glands below the jaws are less affected
2.Dry mouth - less saliva ,fever
3.Males may experience pain or lumps in their testicles, and swelling in the scrotum. However this rarely causes infertility problems.
4.Pain in the abdomen may indicate pancreatitis, a rare complication
5.Meningoencephalitis (infection of the central nervous system) with fever, headache and neck rigidity. It usually does not cause permanent damage.
What is the Treatment of Mumps?
----------------------------------------
Mumps is a viral disease and cannot be cured.
It normally run its course within 1 week.
Treatment of mumps is therefore symptomatic.
1.Rest and soft diet.
2.Lots of fluids
3.Paracetamol can be given to reduce fever and relieve pain. For children, aspirin should not be given because of the risk of Reye's syndrome which can damage the brain.
4.Warm or cold compresses can be given to relieve pain and swelling in the parotid glands.
5.Cool compresses and scrotal support can be given to reduce pain and swelling in the testicles.
6.Avoid foods that stimulate the parotid glands (stimulating the glands causes pain) such as fruit juices and tart beverages.
What are the complications of Mumps?
----------------------------------------------
The mumps virus may affects many different glands including the brain.
It can affect the testes (orchitis)in boys or ovaries (oophoritis) in girls during puberty rarely causing infertility.
It can also affect the pancreas in some patients giving rise to Juvenile Diabetes or pancreatitis.
In the brain rarely encephalitis or meningitis may occur with damage to some brain cells.
What is the prognosis of Mumps?
--------------------------------------
Prognosis is good in all cases.
Very rarely do complications such orchitis or meningitis occur.
How is Mumps Prevented?
------------------------------
Mumps can be prevented by administering the Mumps, Measles, Rubella vaccine (MMR). This vaccine is given at the age of 15 months and again at 12 years old.
------------------------------
What is Mumps?
--------------------
Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection that causes painful swelling in the salivary glands (the glands which produce saliva) which include the parotid, submandibular and submental glands.
How is Mumps spread?
---------------------------
The mumps (paramyxovirus) virus is spread by coughing, sneezing and through the saliva of an infected person.
It can also be spread by contact with contaminated items and surfaces.
It is contagious 1 - 2 days before the appearance of symptoms to 1 - 2 days after the symptoms disappear.
The incubation period is about 18 days.
An attack gives lifelong immunity.
Who is infected in Mumps?
-------------------------------
Although mumps may affect adults, children between the ages of 5 - 15 years are most prone.
What are the Symptoms of Mumps?
-----------------------------------------
Symptoms
1.Prodromal symptoms such as fever, headache and sore throat
2.Facial pain and swelling
3.pain or lumps in their testicles
4.Abdominal pain
Signs:
1.Swollen and tender parotid glands in front of the ear, cheek and neck.
Submandibular glands below the jaws are less affected
2.Dry mouth - less saliva ,fever
3.Males may experience pain or lumps in their testicles, and swelling in the scrotum. However this rarely causes infertility problems.
4.Pain in the abdomen may indicate pancreatitis, a rare complication
5.Meningoencephalitis (infection of the central nervous system) with fever, headache and neck rigidity. It usually does not cause permanent damage.
What is the Treatment of Mumps?
----------------------------------------
Mumps is a viral disease and cannot be cured.
It normally run its course within 1 week.
Treatment of mumps is therefore symptomatic.
1.Rest and soft diet.
2.Lots of fluids
3.Paracetamol can be given to reduce fever and relieve pain. For children, aspirin should not be given because of the risk of Reye's syndrome which can damage the brain.
4.Warm or cold compresses can be given to relieve pain and swelling in the parotid glands.
5.Cool compresses and scrotal support can be given to reduce pain and swelling in the testicles.
6.Avoid foods that stimulate the parotid glands (stimulating the glands causes pain) such as fruit juices and tart beverages.
What are the complications of Mumps?
----------------------------------------------
The mumps virus may affects many different glands including the brain.
It can affect the testes (orchitis)in boys or ovaries (oophoritis) in girls during puberty rarely causing infertility.
It can also affect the pancreas in some patients giving rise to Juvenile Diabetes or pancreatitis.
In the brain rarely encephalitis or meningitis may occur with damage to some brain cells.
What is the prognosis of Mumps?
--------------------------------------
Prognosis is good in all cases.
Very rarely do complications such orchitis or meningitis occur.
How is Mumps Prevented?
------------------------------
Mumps can be prevented by administering the Mumps, Measles, Rubella vaccine (MMR). This vaccine is given at the age of 15 months and again at 12 years old.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
A Simple Guide to Rubella
A Simple Guide to Rubella
------------------------------
What is Rubella?
---------------------
Rubella is a infectious viral disease characterised by fever, generalised rash and swollen glands behind the ears and in the neck.
It can be spread through the air or by contact.
It can also be transmitted to a foetus by a mother with an active infection.
The disease is usually mild and may even go unnoticed. It is also called German Measles.
What are the Symptoms of Rubella?
------------------------------------------
Most children have few symptoms.
Adults may experience a prodrome (warning symptom) of a fever, headache, malaise, runny nose, and inflamed eyes, that lasts from 1 to 5 days before the rash appears.
A person can transmit the disease from 1 week before the onset of the rash until 1 week after the rash disappears.
The child with rubella may not look or act sick, but symptoms may include:
1. low-grade fever
2.swollen glands behind the ears and at the back and sides of the neck.
3.Loss of appetite, irritability, loss of interest in personal care.
4.Rash (maculopapiular) which appears on the face and torso and spreads to the arms and legs, lasting 3 to 5 days.
5.Rarely joint pain and arthritis (more common in adult women).
Lifelong immunity to the disease follows infection.
What is the danger of Rubella?
-------------------------------------
The disease is potentially dangerous because it is able to produce defects in a developing foetus if the mother is infected during early pregnancy.
About 10 to 15% of women in their childbearing years are susceptible to infection.
Congenital rubella syndrome occurs in 25% or more of infants born to women who acquired rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Defects may occur in an infected foetus and include deafness, cataracts, microcephaly, mental retardation, congenital heart defects, and other defects.
A miscarriage or stillbirth may occur.
Defects are rare if the infection occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Risk factors include lack of immunisation and exposure to an active case of rubella.
What is the Treatment of Rubella?
----------------------------------------
The infected child should stay at home while sick or up to a week after the rash disappears.
There is no cure for Rubella.
Treatment of a child with rubella is usually symptomatic .
Keep your child quiet, especially if she has a fever.
Children should be kept at home while any rash is visible and for a week thereafter.
Avoid scratching the rash.
Apply Calamine lotion or give the child some antihistamine to stop the itch.
Cool sponging will help relieve fever and discomfort from a rash.
An acetaminophen-based pain reliever may also help.
If you are pregnant and are exposed to rubella, you should contact your doctor immediately.
The risk of birth defects is higher the earlier the exposure occurred in your pregnancy.
In some cases, your doctor may advise you to consider a therapeutic termination of your pregnancy.
How do you Prevent Rubella?
-----------------------------------
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended for children.
The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine) is now given at 15 months, with a booster at the age of 12.
If your child has rubella, notify any at-risk individuals who have had contact with your child during the illness and up to 10 days before symptoms appeared, so they can seek appropriate care.
Pregnancy Concerns
If you are pregnant, and uncertain of your immunity to rubella, and suspect you have been exposed, contact your doctor immediately. There is a risk the virus can be passed to your unborn child.
If any household member is pregnant and there is any question of her not being immune, your doctor will recommend delaying immunisation of your children to prevent exposing the mother-to-be to the live, though weakened, virus in the vaccine.
At least three months before trying to become pregnant, a woman should have a blood test to see if the rubella antibodies are present.
If antibodies are not present, she should be immunised or reimmunised.
------------------------------
What is Rubella?
---------------------
Rubella is a infectious viral disease characterised by fever, generalised rash and swollen glands behind the ears and in the neck.
It can be spread through the air or by contact.
It can also be transmitted to a foetus by a mother with an active infection.
The disease is usually mild and may even go unnoticed. It is also called German Measles.
What are the Symptoms of Rubella?
------------------------------------------
Most children have few symptoms.
Adults may experience a prodrome (warning symptom) of a fever, headache, malaise, runny nose, and inflamed eyes, that lasts from 1 to 5 days before the rash appears.
A person can transmit the disease from 1 week before the onset of the rash until 1 week after the rash disappears.
The child with rubella may not look or act sick, but symptoms may include:
1. low-grade fever
2.swollen glands behind the ears and at the back and sides of the neck.
3.Loss of appetite, irritability, loss of interest in personal care.
4.Rash (maculopapiular) which appears on the face and torso and spreads to the arms and legs, lasting 3 to 5 days.
5.Rarely joint pain and arthritis (more common in adult women).
Lifelong immunity to the disease follows infection.
What is the danger of Rubella?
-------------------------------------
The disease is potentially dangerous because it is able to produce defects in a developing foetus if the mother is infected during early pregnancy.
About 10 to 15% of women in their childbearing years are susceptible to infection.
Congenital rubella syndrome occurs in 25% or more of infants born to women who acquired rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Defects may occur in an infected foetus and include deafness, cataracts, microcephaly, mental retardation, congenital heart defects, and other defects.
A miscarriage or stillbirth may occur.
Defects are rare if the infection occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Risk factors include lack of immunisation and exposure to an active case of rubella.
What is the Treatment of Rubella?
----------------------------------------
The infected child should stay at home while sick or up to a week after the rash disappears.
There is no cure for Rubella.
Treatment of a child with rubella is usually symptomatic .
Keep your child quiet, especially if she has a fever.
Children should be kept at home while any rash is visible and for a week thereafter.
Avoid scratching the rash.
Apply Calamine lotion or give the child some antihistamine to stop the itch.
Cool sponging will help relieve fever and discomfort from a rash.
An acetaminophen-based pain reliever may also help.
If you are pregnant and are exposed to rubella, you should contact your doctor immediately.
The risk of birth defects is higher the earlier the exposure occurred in your pregnancy.
In some cases, your doctor may advise you to consider a therapeutic termination of your pregnancy.
How do you Prevent Rubella?
-----------------------------------
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended for children.
The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine) is now given at 15 months, with a booster at the age of 12.
If your child has rubella, notify any at-risk individuals who have had contact with your child during the illness and up to 10 days before symptoms appeared, so they can seek appropriate care.
Pregnancy Concerns
If you are pregnant, and uncertain of your immunity to rubella, and suspect you have been exposed, contact your doctor immediately. There is a risk the virus can be passed to your unborn child.
If any household member is pregnant and there is any question of her not being immune, your doctor will recommend delaying immunisation of your children to prevent exposing the mother-to-be to the live, though weakened, virus in the vaccine.
At least three months before trying to become pregnant, a woman should have a blood test to see if the rubella antibodies are present.
If antibodies are not present, she should be immunised or reimmunised.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe Now: Feed Icon
Click and bookmark these Social Networking Bookmarks
