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.