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Introduction
Measles is a highly contagious viral
illness that causes a distinctive
rash and fever and mainly affects
young children. The measles virus is
transmitted in minute airborne
droplets from the coughs and sneezes
of infected people.
A child who has measles may feel
very ill. Meningitis and pneumonia
are rare but serious complications.
More commonly, eyes and ears develop
secondary infection which may need
antibiotics.
Measles is contagious for 2-4 days
before the rash appears and for
about 5 days afterwards. With the
MMR vaccination measles is now rare
in the UK.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually develop in a well
established order:
-
A
mild to severe temperature of
around 39?C/102.2?F
-
Tiredness and general lack of
energy
-
Poor appetite
-
Running nose and sneezing
-
Irritable dry cough
-
Red eyes and sensitivity to
light
-
Tiny white spots (called
Koplik's spots) in the mouth and
throat
-
A
blotchy red rash that starts
behind the ears, spreads to the
face and then to the rest of the
body and lasts for up to seven
days.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will probably be able to
diagnose measles from the
combination of symptoms. The Public
Health Laboratory Service has to be
notified and will confirm each case.
In most children, rest and simple
measures to reduce a fever are all
that are needed for a full recovery.
If there are no complications,
symptoms usually disappear in 7
days. Antibiotics may be prescribed
if a bacterial infection develops.
Treatment
Once the rash starts it is a matter
of treating the symptoms.
Check the child's temperature.
Use paracetamol elixir for fever and
aches and pains.
Light sensitivity can be helped by
reducing sunlight or electric lights
in the room.
Use a ball of damp cotton wool to
clean away any crustiness around the
eyes.
Cough medicines are of little value
but do ease ticklish throats. Try
placing a bowl of water in the room.
Avoid dehydration. Feverish small
children rapidly lose water. It also
makes a cough worse.
Try one teaspoon of lemon juice and
two teaspoons of honey in a glass of
warm water.
Ideally, you should keep your child
away from others for at least 7 days
after the start of the rash.
Extract taken from NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
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