INFORMATION ON MEASLES

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly contagious but rare respiratory infection that's caused by a virus. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose. But while your child is sick, it's important to make sure that he or she has plenty of fluids and rest, and to keep your child from spreading the infection to others. If you have any concerns about your child's condition, talk to your child's doctor. Measles is spread through respiration, and is highly contagious 90% of people without immunity sharing a house with an infected person will catch it.

SYNONYMS OF MEASLES

Synonyms and related keywords:
1. Measles.
2. Rubeola.
3. Koplik spots.
4. Measles virus.
5. Rubeola virus.

CAUSES OF MEASLES

Main causes of Measles are:

1. Risk factors for infection.
2. Children with immunodeficiency due to HIV/AIDS, leukemia, alkylating agents,corticosteroid therapy,regardless of immunization status.
3. Travel to areas where measles is endemic or contact with travelers to endemic areas.
4. Infants who lose passive antibody prior to the age of routine immunization.
5. Risk factors for severe measles and its complications.
6. Malnutrition.
7. Underlying immunodeficiency.
8. Pregnancy.
9. Vitamin A deficiency.
10. The measles virus is contagious, which means the infection can be spread from person to person.

SYMPTOMS OF MEASLES

Symptoms are like as:
1. Cold-like symptoms.
2. Cough.
3. Runny nose.
4. Sneezing.
5. Conjunctivitis.
6. Red eyes.
7. Watering eyes.
8. High fever.
9. Red spots in mouth.
10. Red spots inside cheeks.
11. Koplik spots - small spots in the mouth.
12. Mouth spots with white center and red ring.
13. Skin rash.
14. Skin rash beginning near ears and neck.
15. Skin rash spreading rapidly.
16. High temperature.
17. Hacking cough.
18. Light sensitivity.

DIAGNOSIS OF MEASLES

Clinical diagnosis of measles requires a history of fever of at least three days together. Laboratory diagnosis of measles can be done with confirmation of positive measles IgM antibodies or isolation of measles virus RNA from respiratory specimens.

TREATMENT OF MEASLES

There is no specific treatment of measles, though some children may require supplementation with Vitamin A. Symptomatic relief may be achieved with bed rest, acetaminophen, and humidified air.

Other treatment may include:
1 Maintain bed rest and provide quiet activities for the child. If there is sensitivity to light, keep room darkly lit.
2 Remove eye secretions with warm saline or water. Encourage the child not to rub the eyes.
3 Administer antipruritic medication and tepid sponge baths as ordered.