Measles is a very contagious disease caused by the rubeola virus. Also called red or seven-day measles, it mostly occurs in children, but can affect older persons, too. Persons who receive recommended immunizations will probably never get the measles. So make sure your child gets these shots. (See "Immunization Schedule" on page 18.)
Symptoms
When a child does get the measles, he or she has probably been exposed to someone else who had them 10-12 days earlier. The symptoms of measles usually take place in this order:
- Temperature of 102°F or higher
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Runny nose and sneezing
- Cough
- Red eyes and sensitivity to light
- Tiny white spots (called Koplik spots) in the mouth and throat
- Blotchy red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body: to the chest and abdomen and then to the arms and legs. The rash usually lasts for up to 7 days.
The measles virus is spread by nose, mouth, or throat secretions, either on soiled articles or through coughing, sneezing, and so on. It can be picked up 3 to 6 days before the rash appears as well as up to several days after the rash starts.
If your child has been exposed to measles, but hasn't been immunized, contact his or her doctor or the public health department. If done early enough, a measles vaccine may prevent him or her from getting measles. An injection of gamma globulin can help protect your child against measles for 3 months. Let your child's school know if your child has measles. All cases of measles must be reported to the public health department.
When your child gets the measles, not much can be done to shorten the illness. Your child will probably start feeling better by the fourth day of the rash unless other problems occur. Possible problems include eye or ear infections, pneumonia, and meningitis.
Questions to Ask
Are any of these problems present:
- Blue or purple lips or nails
- Convulsion
- Extreme difficulty in breathing
- Inability to speak more than 3 or 4 words between breaths
- Confusion or excessive drowsiness
- Severe headache and stiff neck
- Bleeding from the nose or mouth or into the skin
- Dark purple splotches on the skin
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Are any of these problems present?
- Sore throat
- Earache or tugging at the ears
- A yellow or green discharge from the eyes or nose
- Breathing that is labored, but not due to a stuffy nose
- Fever that comes back after temperature has been normal for a day or more or fever that is still present beyond the fourth day of the rash
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Self-Care Tips
Keep a record of your child's temperature. Take it in the morning and the evening. Give the recommended dose of acetaminophen for fever and/or aches and pains. {Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication that has salicylates to anyone under 19 years of age, unless a doctor tells you to.}
Isolate your child from other people who have not had measles or a measles immunization. Any child who has come in contact with your child should be taken for a measles immunization unless he or she has already been immunized or had the measles.
Because your child's eyes may be sensitive:
- Keep the lighting in the house dim. Draw the drapes, pull the shades down, and use low-wattage light bulbs.
- If your child must go outdoors, have him or her wear sunglasses.
- Keep the TV and video games turned off.
- Urge your child not to read or do close-up work.
- Wipe your child's closed eyes with a clean, wet cloth or wet cotton ball several times a day.
- For a cough:
- Use a "cool-mist" vaporizer, especially at night. Use distilled, not tap, water in the vaporizer and change the water daily.
- If your child is 5 years of age or older, have him or her suck on cough drops, lozenges or hard candy.
- Give your child plenty of fluids. Water is helpful in loosening mucus and also soothes an irritated throat. Fruit juices and even tea and soda are also good.
- Give your child cough medicines as recommended by his or her doctor or pharmacist.
- You can make your own cough medicine at home by mixing 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts honey or corn syrup. (Do not give to children under 1 year of age.)
- Have your child rest until the fever and rash go away.
- Keep your child home from school until 7-10 days after the fever and rash disappear and until his or her appetite, strength, and feeling of well-being are back to normal.