Measles - A Quick Read

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Having high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes?

Have not been vaccinated for measles and came in contact with a measles patient?

What is Measles?

• highly infectious viral infection.

Types:

• Rubeola - standard measles caused by rubeola virus

• Rubella virus - commonly called rubella or german measles/

Risk Group

• People coming in contact with measles infected patient

• weakened immune system patients

• young children

• Rubella more concern to pregnant mothers and unborn babies

Signs and Symptoms

• watery eyes or conjunctivitis

• dry or hacking cough

• sneezing or running nose

• high fever

• sensitivity to light

• may have reddish-brown rash starting behind the ear and spreads,  after 3 to 4 days of initial infection and last about a week

• may have grayish white spots with bluish-white centers in the mouth, cheeks or throat

• body pains generally

• symptoms will appear after about 10 days of initial infection

• will usually last for 7 to 10 days

Causes and spread

• there are 21 different strains of the measles virus.

• physical contact with patient with measles.

• being in vicinity when patient coughs or sneezes without proper hygiene and cover.

• can spread from touching surfaces that have been exposed to infected discharge from the patients nasal, eye or mouth and putting unwashed hands into mouth or eyes.

• surfaces remain actively infected for at least 2 hours after exposure.

Lifestyle Adaptations

• if child has fever from measles, keep them cool (not cold) and give some medication for fever.

• no smoking near patients where possible.

• suggest sunglasses to help with the light sensitivity.

• wash and clean eyes properly if infected with clean materials.

• Proper hydration will help during the infection.

Treatment and alternatives

• no known specific treatment for measles.

• Symptomatic treatment suggested

• Increased fluid intake to avoid dehydration.

• Patient will not usually get measles for the second time in their lifestyle (immune after first infection)

• Vitamin A supplements if deficient may help

Prevention

• MMR vaccines for mumps, measles and rubella 

• gives protection against both the types of measles - both standard and german measles.

• however, once infected will give lifelong immunity.

Complications and concerns

• symptoms do not improve

• fever rises above 38 degrees and does not go away even when the other symptoms finish

• diarrhoea

• vomiting

• eye infection

• respiratory infections and difficulty breathing

• ear infections

• miscarriage if measles during pregnancy

All these and more are available at Health First pharmacy...visit us for all your health needs first...talk to us first!!!