Measles is a viral infection that affects children. Once quite common, measles can now be prevented with a vaccine. Measles exists in mucus in the nasally or orally infected area.
Signs and symptoms of measles:
Measles signs and symptoms appear seven to 14 days after being infected by the virus.
Signs and symptoms of measles typically include:
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Sensitivity to light
- Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek, called Koplik's spots
- A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another
Measles infection stages:
- For the first seven to 14 days after you're infected, the measles virus incubates. You have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.
- Measles typically begins with a moderate to an acute fever, often accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore throat. This relatively mild illness may last for two or three days.
- 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, particularly behind the ears and along the hairline. Over the next few days, the rash spreads down the arms and trunk, then over the thighs, lower legs and feet. At the same time, fever rises sharply, often as. The measles rash gradually recedes and fades
- A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.
Categories prone to develop measles:
- People who have not received the measles vaccine.
- Unvaccinated people traveling to developing countries, where measles is more common.
- People who have a deficiency vitamin A.
Complications:
- Bacterial ear infection.
- Pregnancy problems, such as pregnancy loss, preterm labour or low birth weight.
- Bronchitis, as 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, which is a common complication of measles.
- Encephalitis.
- Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), the type of blood cells that are essential for blood clotting.
Diagnosis:
Measles can be diagnosed by testing the patient's rash characteristic. If necessary, a blood test can confirm whether the rash is truly measles.
Treatment:
No treatment can get rid of an established measles infection. However, some measures can be taken to protect vulnerable individuals who have been exposed to the virus.
- Non-immunized people, including infants, may be given the measles vaccination within 72 hours of exposure to the measles virus, to provide protection against the disease. If measles still develops, the illness usually has milder symptoms and lasts for a shorter time.
- Pregnant women, infants and adults with weakened immune systems who are exposed to the virus may receive an injection of antibodies within six days of exposure to the virus, these antibodies can prevent measles or make symptoms less severe.
Recovery:
- Fever reducers.
- Antibiotics.
- Vitamin A
- Getting some rest and avoiding exhausting activities.
- Drinking plenty of water and fruit juice to replace fluids lost.
- Resting eyes, keeping the lights low or wearing sunglasses; as the measles patient finds bright light of bothersome.
- Using humidifier to lessen the acuity of inflammation and cough.
Prevention:
(If you develop measles, your body builds up its immune system to fight the infection, and you can't get measles again).