Measles is a childhood infection caused by a virus. Once quite common, measles can now almost always be prevented with a vaccine.It is also known as rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children. While death rates have been falling worldwide as more children receive the measles vaccine, the disease still kills more than 100,000 people a year, most under the age of 5.Measles cause,symptoms and management are given below
Signs and symptoms of measles include cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash.Also called rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children from pneumonia
As a result of high vaccination rates in general, measles hasn’t been widespread for more than a decade. Most of these cases originated outside the country and occurred in people who were unvaccinated or who didn’t know whether or not they had been vaccinated.
- Measles important things to remember
Also read;Poliomyelitis
Measles:cause,symptoms and management
- Pathogen : Virus (Rubeola)
Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a rubeola virus that replicates in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. Then, when someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air, where other people can inhale them
The infected droplets may also land on a surface, where they remain active and contagious for several hours. You can contract the virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing your eyes after touching the infected surface.
About 90% of susceptible people who are exposed to someone with the virus will be infected.
Mode of transmission :
- By air
- By saliva(kissing or shared drinks)
- By air
- By skin to skin contact (handshakes or hugs)
- By touching a contaminated surface
- By mother to baby by pregnancy, labour nursing.
- Incubation period of measles : 3-5 days
For the first 10 to 14 days after you’re infected, the measles virus incubates. You have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.
Symptoms of Measles
- 🔅 Fever, Dry cough
- 🔅Common cold(Runny nose)
- 🔅 Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik’s spots
- 🔅Appearance of rashes on the body.
- 🔅Sore throat, Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis),A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another
Nonspecific signs and symptoms.
Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, often accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore throat. This relatively mild illness may last two or three days.
Acute illness and rash. The rash consists of small red spots, some of which are slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face breaks out first.
Complications of measles
Complications of measles may include:
Ear infection. One of the most common complications of measles is a bacterial ear infection.
Bronchitis, laryngitis or croup. Measles may lead to inflammation of your voice box (larynx) or inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways of your lungs (bronchial tubes).
Pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common complication of measles. People with compromised immune systems can develop an especially dangerous variety of pneumonia that is sometimes fatal.
Encephalitis. About 1 in 1,000 people with measles develops a complication called encephalitis. Encephalitis may occur right after measles, or it might not occur until months later.
Pregnancy problems. If you’re pregnant, you need to take special care to avoid measles because the disease can cause preterm labor, low birth weight and maternal death.
Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children and adults receive the measles vaccine to prevent measles.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for measles, and symptoms usually go away within 7 to 10 days.
If there are no complications, the doctor will recommend rest and plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If there is a risk of complications, the doctor may recommend spending time in the hospital.
If a child needs treatment in the hospital, a doctor will prescribe vitamin A.
The following tips may help manage symptoms:
Pain and fever: Take something that will subside the pains and push the fever down.
A cough: Use a humidifier or put a wet towel on a warm radiator to moisten the air.
A warm lemon and honey drink may help, but do not give honey to babies under 1 year.
Dehydration: Encourage the person to drink plenty of fluids.
Eyes: Remove any crustiness with cotton wool soaked in water. Dim the lights if the eyes are hypersensitive.
Measles home management
- Rest: Encourage the person with measles to rest and limit their activities.
- Stay hydrated: Make sure they drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, and broth, to avoid dehydration.
- Control fever: If the person has a fever, you can give them acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to reduce the fever and alleviate any discomfort. Follow the recommended dosages on the package, and do not give aspirin to children or teenagers with measles, as it can cause a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.
- Relieve itching: If the person is experiencing itching due to the rash, you can try calamine lotion or oatmeal baths to soothe the skin.
- Isolate: Keep the person with measles away from others, especially those who have not been vaccinated against measles or who have a weakened immune system, as measles is highly contagious.
- Monitor complications: Keep an eye out for any complications that may arise, such as ear infections, pneumonia, or encephalitis, which can occur as a result of measles. If you notice any symptoms of complications, seek medical attention immediately.
Prevention and cure
- (i) The patient should be kept in isolation.
- (ii) Cleanliness should be maintained.
- (iii) Antibiotics check only the secondary infections which can easily recur