What Is Measles? What Are The Symptoms Of Measles?

Measles, also known as Rubeola or morbilli, is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus - a viral infection caused by the rubeola virus.
Measles is an endemic disease; meaning it is continually present in a community and many people develop resistance. If measles enters an area where the people have never been exposed the result can be devastating.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles symptoms invariably include fever, together with at least one of the three C's (cough, coryza, conjunctivitis).

Symptoms will appear about 9-11 days after infection, and may include the following:

• Coryza - runny nose.
  
• Dry hacking cough.
  
• Conjunctivitis - swollen eyelids, inflamed eyes.
  
• Watery eyes.
  
• Photophobia - sensitivity to light.
  
• Sneezing.
  
• Fever - this may be mild to severe and can reach 105F (40.6C) for a number of days. Fever may drop, and then rise again when the rash appears.
  
• Koplik's spots - very small grayish-white spots with bluish-white centers in the mouth, insides of cheeks, and throat.
  
• Aches generally all over the body.
  
• Rash - 3 to 4 days after initial symptoms a reddish-brown spotty rash appears. The rash can last for over a week. It usually starts behind the ears and spreads all over the head and neck. After a couple of days it spreads to the rest of the body, including the legs. As the little spots grow many of them will join together.

What is the treatment for measles?

There is no specific measles treatment. If there are no complications the doctor will recommend plenty of rest and normal measures to control the fever and prevent dehydration (drink fluids). Symptoms will usually go away within 7 to 10 days.

If your child has measles, the following measures may help:

• Fever - if the temperature is high try to keep the child cool, but make sure he/she is not cold. Tylenol (paracetamol, acetaminophen) or ibuprofen are effective in controlling fever, as well as aches and pain. Children under 16 should not be given aspirin. Check with your doctor about acetaminophen dosage - too much can harm the child, especially the liver.
  
• Smoking - do not let anyone smoke near the child with measles.
  
• Photophobia - as the child may be painfully sensitive to light, keeping the lights dim or the room darkened may help. Sunglasses may also help.
  
• Conjunctivitis - if there is crustiness around the eyes gently clean with damp cotton wool.
  
• Cough - cough medicines will not relieve the cough. Making the room more humid by placing a bowl of water may help the cough. If the child is over twelve a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of lemon juice and two teaspoons of honey may help. Do not give honey to babies.
  
• Dehydration - make sure the child is hydrated. If the child has a fever he/she can become dehydrated more quickly. Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids.
  
• Isolation - while children are contagious they should be kept away from school and should not return to activities that involve human interaction. Non-immunized people who have never had measles should be kept out of the house.
  
• Vitamin A supplements - studies have shown that Vitamin A supplements significantly help prevent complications caused by measles. Supplements are recommended for children with vitamin A deficiency and children under the age of two who have severe measles. Vitamin A deficiency is virtually non-existent in developed countries, but fairly common in much of the developing world. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37135.php