measles

Measles is an infection caused by a virus (a viral infection). The virus is called Pramyxovirus. In the developed world it used to be very common. However, thanks to extensive immunisation programmes the number of children infected has gone down considerably. Many health care professionals are concerned that the numbers of infected children has recently started to rise. The main reason being that some parents are scared of immunizing their children as they are worried about the vaccine's safety. How do you catch measles? If you have never had measles before and were never immunised you can catch it. It is a very contagious virus. If you live in a house with someone who has measles you run a 90% chance of becoming infected. The infected person transmits the virus through the nose and mouth - the virus is carried in tiny droplets in the air. Infected saliva and nasal secretions are also a source of transmission. Measles and PregnancyIf you have measles you should stay well away from pregnant women as the disease is especially dangerous for the unborn child. If you know of any pregnant woman who has been in contact with an adult or child infected with measles you should advise her to see her doctor immediately. What are the symptoms of measles? The patient will have a general feeling of being unwell (initial symptom). He/she will have a runny nose, a hacking cough and red eyes. His/her temperture will rise to over 40C and he/she will complain of body aches. Some children will suddenly become sensitive to bright lights. The patient will have small, red, irregularly-shaped spots with blue or white centres (Koplik's spots). These usually start inside the mouth a couple of days before the person comes out with a measles skin rash, which normally starts around the head and neck - gradually covering the whole body. Within three days the person has a rash which covers from head to toe. This rash starts off with small red spots, later on they join up and the patient has large blotchy red areas on the skin. The blotches can also be brownish in colour, but are more often red. The rash lasts just under a week. Measles is easy to diagnoseA measles rash is quite unique and easy for a doctor to identify. In the UK every case of measles must be reported to the HPA (Health Protection Agency). When you take your child (or adult or yourself) to your GP (Primary Health Physician, Family Doctor) you should phone first so that they can arrange for you to sit in a separate waiting area from other patients. How do you treat measles? There is no treatment for the virus, you have to let it run its course. However, there is treatment for some of the symptoms. Antibiotics will not treat the virus (antibiotics are for bacteria). However, if the patient develops an eye or ear infection an antibiotic may then be indicated. Make sure the infected person, especially children, take plenty of fluids (measles patients become dehydrated quickly). Drinking plenty of fluids is much more important than eating solids. If your child is not hungry for a couple of day, don't worry - but make sure he/she drinks a lot. OutlookMost people recover completely. A small number may go on to develop complications, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), pneumonia, croup, bronchiolitis and hepatitis. 5% of measles patients may develop otitis media or pneumonia. One in 1000 develops encephalitis. How to protect yourself and your children? There is a vaccine, called MMR (Measles, Mumps Rubella). In the UK most children are immunized with the MMR vaccine. The first shot is given when the child is 14 months old, then a booster is given at the age of 4 or 5. Some people fear the MMR vaccine may cause their child to become autistic and decide it is not worth the risk. Nearly all health care professionals throughout the world believe the MMR vaccine is completely safe.