Facts about Measles
Measles is an ailment that is caused by a virus which is inhaled through the respiratory route. It is alternatively called rubeola. It is highly infectious by nature and gets transmitted through the body fluid of an affected person. The incubation time of the disease generally lasts for 4 to 12 days.
The afflicted person does not exhibit any visible symptoms in this period. However, the infected person becomes capable of transmitting the virus after the symptoms start appearing in him.
It can affect people belonging to diverse age groups. However, some people face an aggravated risk of contracting the ailment than others. Children who suffer from the scarcity of Vitamin A and children aged below one year are more at risk than the others. Similarly, people suffering from a deficient immune system like the patients of AIDS, as well as malnourished people can suffer from this disease.
Causes of Measles
The disease is triggered by the infection of a virus which spreads by droplets in the air. Direct physical contact with an infected person aggravates the possibility of getting the disease. Even if a person breathes in the infected air, he can develop the ailment. If a person has not undergone the required vaccination for Measles and comes in touch with a measles infected person he will catch the virus soon. That explains why the ailment has a track record of spreading quickly among the school children. As a matter of fact, a person contracts the infection much before the rashes start appearing on his body hence he can transmit it without even knowing.
Measles Symptoms
The symptoms of the ailment become perceptible after two weeks of infection. The most prevalent initial signs of the disease include a running nose, cold, fever and conjunctivitis. After a few days, small white patches bounded by red colored spots can start appearing on the cheek’s inner linings.
The measles rashes make their appearance subsequently. The body area covered by the rashes includes the face and the ears of the victims. The red colored rashes tend to become blemished and usually fall off on their own within a week.
The other significant signs of the menace include vomiting and nausea, diarrhea and pain in the abdominal area. The infection is not deadly but lack of proper care can lead to serious consequences.
Some of the complications created by the disease can include encephalitis, hepatitis and pneumonia. Even though very few victims of the disease are affected by the complications in the nervous system, its long term results can be awful. Inflammation of the brain triggered by measles can damage the brain severely.
Measles Treatment
Since the disease spreads through the route of air and it is extremely contagious, people living with Measles infected person in the same house should practice cautions. The children afflicted with the ailment might be treated at the home. They can be administered paracetamol or similar fever and pain reducing drugs. The doctors usually suggest giving additional fluids to them.
The adults affected by measles can consult their doctors for proper medication. People suffering from severe cases of contamination need to be admitted to hospital and given antiviral medication. In some instances, Vitamin A supplements can also be given to boost up the immunity of the victims.
The complications caused by Measles can often become life threatening; hence the parents of an affected child should watch for the development of other ailments in the child. Such a child should not be allowed to attend school for two weeks or as long as the symptoms persist. However, the majority of the uncomplicated Measles cases get resolved with sufficient rest and care.
Advice
Vaccination can significantly reduce the chances of the occurrence of Measles and the long term damages it can bring. If the parents feel that their child has contracted the disease, they can opt for a saliva test. It is also important to determine if the child is suitable for administering vaccines or not. Expert medical care should be sought prior to vaccination.
