Measles is an infection caused by a virus that affects mainly in childhood. In the past, it was very common in Italy, while today it has become rarer thanks to vaccines. In other parts of the world, this disease is more prevalent and can be fatal for children with weakened immune systems, particularly those under the age of 5. Experts say identifying the most common symptoms and signs of measles in children and seeking appropriate medical care can reduce the risk of serious health consequences.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Key Signs and Symptoms of Measles
Step 1. Note the presence of the characteristic red rash
The most distinctive sign of measles is skin irritation, which occurs a couple of days after the onset of a cough, sore throat, and runny nose. The rash consists of many small red spots and pustules arranged in clusters, some slightly swollen, which from a distance mostly look like large redness. This symptom first appears on the head or face, particularly behind the ears and along the hairline. Over the next few days, the rash spreads to the neck, arms, and chest, then descends to the legs and feet. In most cases, the rash is not itchy, but it can irritate those with sensitive skin.
- Usually, measles sufferers experience the worst symptoms in the first or second day after the rash appears, then it takes about a week to fully recover.
- Immediately after the onset of the rash, the fever usually rises sharply and can reach or exceed 40 ° C. At this stage, the attention of a doctor may be needed.
- Many people with measles also develop small gray-white spots inside the mouth (in the cheek), known as Koplik's spots.
Step 2. Measure your fever
Usually, the first symptoms of measles are nonspecific, such as malaise (tiredness) and a mild or moderate fever. As a result, if your child seems sluggish, has little appetite, and a slightly high temperature, he or she has probably contracted a viral infection. However, many diseases of this type present the same way, so fever alone is not a strong indicator of measles.
- Normal body temperature is 37 ° C, so a child has a fever starting at 38 ° C. If a child's temperature exceeds 40 ° C, he must receive medical attention.
- Digital ear thermometers, also known as tympanic thermometers, are quick and easy to use tools for measuring a baby's temperature.
- Measles has an incubation period of 10-14 days after infection, with an asymptomatic first phase.
Step 3. Watch out for cough, sore throat and runny nose
In the case of measles, after the onset of low or moderate fever, the other symptoms develop rapidly. Persistent cough, sore throat, runny nose and eye inflammation (conjunctivitis) are typical signs of the early stages of this condition. This relatively mild range of symptoms can last for two to three days after the fever sets in. These signals are still not enough to clearly identify your baby's illness as measles; other viral infections, such as the flu and the common cold, cause very similar symptoms.
- The cause of measles is Paramyxovirus, which is very contagious. It spreads through tiny droplets in the air or on surfaces, then replicates in the nose and throat of the infected person.
- You can contract Paramyxovirus by putting your fingers in your mouth, nose or rubbing your eyes after touching an infected surface. Also, the virus can spread due to coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- A person infected with measles is contagious for about 8 days, starting with the symptoms, until the fourth day after the rash appears (see below).
Step 4. Recognize the highest risk categories
People who have received a series of full measles vaccinations are virtually immune to the disease, but some groups remain more exposed to the contagion. The following categories are those who are most at risk: those who have not received full measles vaccinations, those who suffer from a vitamin A deficiency or have traveled to locations where measles is widespread (in Africa and parts of Asia, for instance). Other groups more vulnerable to measles are people with weakened immune systems and children under 12 months of age (who are too young to be vaccinated).
- Usually, the measles vaccine is given alongside those for rubella and mumps. Combining the three protections, this vaccine is known as trivalent or with the abbreviation MMR.
- People undergoing immunoglobulin treatments and receiving the vaccine at the same time also have a higher risk of contracting measles.
- Vitamin A has antiviral properties and is very important for the health of the mucous membranes that line the nose, mouth and eyes. If your diet is deficient in vitamins, you run a higher risk of contracting measles and suffering from more severe symptoms.
Part 2 of 2: Getting Medical Care
Step 1. Make an appointment with your family doctor
If you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms about your child or yourself, schedule a visit with your family doctor or pediatrician to get a consultation and examination. For more than 10 years, measles has rarely affected Italian children, so recently practicing doctors may have little experience with the rash characteristic of this disease. On the contrary, all experienced doctors will immediately recognize the red spots and especially the Koplik's spots on the inside of the cheek (if any).
- If in doubt, you can confirm that the irritation is due to measles with a blood test. The medical laboratory will look for the presence of IgM antibodies in your blood, which are produced when the body fights against the measles virus.
- Additionally, a viral culture of secretions taken from the nasal passages, throat, or inside of the cheek may be analyzed if you have Koplik's spots.
Step 2. Receive appropriate treatments
There is no specific treatment that can cure a full-blown case of measles, but some steps can be taken to reduce the severity of symptoms. People who are not already immune (including children) can receive the trivalent vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to Paramyxovirus to prevent symptoms from appearing. However, as mentioned earlier, the disease often follows an incubation period of 10 days before milder symptoms appear, so it is very unlikely that you are infected within 72 hours of exposure, unless you have traveled to a area where many people had obvious symptoms of the disease.
- For pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems exposed to measles (and other viruses), there are therapies available that enhance the immune response. Treatment requires an injection of antibodies called serum immunoglobulins and should be given within 6 days of exposure to prevent aggravation of symptoms.
- Serum immunoglobulins and the trivalent vaccine Not must be administered simultaneously.
- Medicines that can reduce the pain and moderate to severe fever that accompanies the skin irritation due to measles include: acetaminophen (Tachipirina), ibuprofen (Brufen) and naproxen (Momendol). Never give aspirin to children or adolescents with measles in an attempt to lower their fever. Aspirin is approved for use in children over 3 years of age, but can lead to Reye's syndrome (a life-threatening condition) in people with flu or chickenpox symptoms, which can be confused with measles. Give children only acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
Step 3. Avoid complications from measles
Although it is a potentially fatal disease (especially in developing countries), measles cases are rarely serious and do not require medical attention if the fever does not exceed 40 ° C. However, the possible complications of this pathology are often much more serious than the initial viral infection. The most common complications of measles include: bacterial ear infections, bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia (viral and bacterial), encephalitis (swelling of the brain), problems in pregnancy, and impaired clotting capacity.
- If you notice any other symptoms after having measles or if you have never fully recovered, you should see a doctor.
- If you have low vitamin A levels, ask your doctor for an injection that can reduce the severity of measles and prevent any complications. Medical dosages are usually 200,000 international units (IU) for two days.
Advice
- Less common and severe symptoms of measles include sneezing, swollen eyelids, sensitivity to light, muscle and joint pain.
- If you or your child become sensitive to bright lights, rest your eyes or wear sunglasses. Avoid watching television or sitting near your computer screen for a few days.
- Measles prevention requires vaccination and isolation; avoid people infected with the virus.
