Register | Login
Login
Sign in with:
---------- OR ----------
Create Account | Login
Create account
As a Member You Can:
  • Join clubs to discuss your interests
  • Connect with people like you
  • Share information, seek advice, get support

   
parenting
in Mumbai (change city)
Select City
  • All
  • Delhi
  • New Delhi
  • Gurgaon
  • Noida
  • Mumbai
  • Pune
  • Banglore
  • Hyderabad
  • Ghaziabad
  • Chandigarh
  • Ahmedabad
  • Kolkata
  • Chennai
  • Coimbatore
  • Jaipur
select‌ stage
 
Child's Healthcare Topics..

 

Measles

Measles

Measles is an infection that may affect children. It is caused by rubeola virus and can be prevented with the help of vaccines. Let us take a look at the causes, symptoms and treatment options for this disorder.
Measles is a contagious disease that can affect children. This disease can easily spread through cough or sneeze of an infected person. Therefore, if an individual or a child who is not immune to this disease can easily get affected by it by coming in contact with the cough, sneeze, nasal secretions or saliva of an infected person. Discussed below are the causes, symptoms and treatment options for this disorder.

What causes measles?

Measles is caused by rubeola virus. This virus is capable of travelling through air and as such it can spread rapidly amongst the human who are not immune to it. This virus can survive in respiratory tract of the affected individual and spread even before the symptoms are experienced by the affected individual. But it may not affect the person who is vaccinated against it or has contracted it before. Also it is important to note that rubeola virus is different from rubella virus and one needs to get vaccinated against respective viruses in order to be immune to each one of them. Being immune to any one of the above motioned viruses may not provide immunity against the other.

What are the symptoms of measles?

The symptoms of measles can take anywhere from one to twelve days to appear after your child has been infected. It begins like a normal cold - hoarse cough, runny nose and fever. The temperature will fluctuate between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The child will develop a rash that will start on the throat and behind the ears and then spread to the face and the rest of the body. The rash will initially appear as small, scarlet, slightly raised spots that will transform into irregular areas of a ruddy brown colour. Your baby's eyes may become red and sore. Spots inside mouth which are known as Koplik's spots can also be observed which can help in the early diagnosis of this disease. But, they can be rarely noticed as they are temporary.

What is the treatment?

There is no specific treatment for measles. You can follow some simple steps to alleviate your child's discomfort. Bathe your child's sore eyes with cotton wool soaked in warm water and dim the lights. You can give your child, baby aspirin after consulting your child’s paediatrician to bring down the fever. She will probably not have much of an appetite, but ensure that her fluid intake is high. Call the doctor if she is still running a high temperature four days after breaking out in a rash. Inform the doctor if she becomes semi-conscious, develops an earache or laboured breathing, or a phlegmy cough.

What are the possible complications and how can I prevent measles?

Your child may develop pneumonia, encephalitis or earache. You can prevent it by ensuring that your child is inoculated against the disease when she is between 12 to 24 months. Her immunity will be lifelong.

What is the schedule for vaccinating babies against measles?

Measles vaccination is given to babies in combination with mumps and rubella vaccination. Such combination of vaccination is known as MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine. The first MMR vaccination is given to babies between 12 to 18 months of their age as per the vaccination schedule prescribed by Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP). The second does is given to children when they are between 4 to 6 years old.
Parents must give MMR vaccination to their children as per their paediatrician’s advice. If any vaccinations are missed parents must surely talk to their child’s paediatrician so that right measures are advised by him or her.



You may also be interested in:

Chicken Pox (Varicella)
(38095 views)
Hearing Impairment
(19962 views)
Cure your Child's Cough
(75865 views)
Migraines
(43790 views)
Cancel
Save Edit
parenting
Notifications
43 Comments
Sort by Newest

avatar

Emily
Emily.14 years ago
do the marks of measels and mumps vanish with age?z`
 
 
 
.
Reply
mmr
mmr.14 years ago
in regards too the mmr vacine iam asking if it is possible that i can recieve the ingredience of the substances in the mmr vacination i am also inquiring on what changes have been made too the vacination since 1980 as too individual ammounts and new substances, thank you for your time.
 
 
 
.
Reply
Paul
Paul.14 years ago
does the rash coms and go
 
 
 
.
Reply
Diane robertson
Diane robertson.14 years ago
it was very intresting to read and i got alot of information
 
 
 
.
Reply
Louise
Louise.14 years ago
i want to know whether or not the mmr vacine does cause autism.
 
 
 
.
Reply
Dee
Dee.14 years ago
the page was very informative and helpful thank you.
 
 
 
.
Reply
Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter.14 years ago
i saw no information, or links to information, with regards to the association of autism and the mmr vacine.
great website
 
 
 
.
Reply
gretchen
gretchen.14 years ago
do they make a baby cranky
 
 
 
.
Reply
Sixth Form Researcher
this site has failed to take into account the emerging research linking mmr with autism (autistic enterocolitis syndrome) and/or inflammatory bowel disease. the government has tried to use the argument that other countries do not make use the three separate jabs. however, almost all these countries have no autism database. only the us has good data - and this shows a steep rise in autism.
 
 
 
.
Reply
CHARZIE
CHARZIE.14 years ago
the diseases that this vaccination aims tt treat, are very serious,measels can be fatel to children, rubella harm unborn babys and mumps cause deafness and other sideaffects so think carefully about the pros and cons of this vaccination.
 
 
 
.
Reply
load more comments
Back to Previous Page   |   More on Child's Healthcare Index

 








Subscribe




All tips on Childhood Illnesses And Medical Conditions
You ever wanted in one place.
No need to go anywhere else. No spam.

*No spam only genuine emails
Follow us on:



Featured Articles - Infertility | Baby Development | Health and Fitness | How to Get Pregnant | Parenting Advice | Weight Loss | Pregnancy Advice | Name Numerology
Baby - Baby Photo Contest | Lucky Names | Lucky Birthdates | Horoscopes | Chinese Calendar | Compatibility Test | Fun Zone
Parenting - Message Boards | Planning a Baby | Pregnancy | Parents of Babies | Baby Names | Baby Name Poll | Birth Announcements | Parenting Quiz
Family - Cooking Club | Love & Relationships | Beauty Tips | Kids Weight Calculator | Recipe Maker
General - Calorie Counter | Personality Quiz | Love Signs | Compatibility Quiz