Special Measles Advisory Warning Courtesy of Mayo Clinic
May 16, 2019
MEASLES
Measles is a highly contagious
illness caused by a virus that replicates in the nose and throat of an infected
child or adult. Then, when someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected
droplets spray into the air, where other people can inhale them. Also called
rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children.
The infected droplets may also land
on a surface, where they remain active and contagious for several hours. You
can contract the virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing
your eyes after touching the infected surface.
Consult your Doctor to be sure you
understand the dangers of measles and how best to protect yourself or others.
Your doctor can usually diagnose
measles based on the disease’s characteristic rash as well as a small,
bluish-white spot on a bright red background — Koplik’s spot — on the inside
lining of the cheek. However, many doctors have never seen measles, and the
rash can be confused with a number of other illnesses. If necessary, a blood
test can confirm whether the rash is truly measles.
For the first 10 to 14 days after you’re infected, the measles virus
incubates. You have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.
Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, often accompanied
by a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore
throat. This relatively mild illness may last two or three days
The rash consists of small red
spots, some of which are slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters
give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face breaks out first. Over the next few days, the rash spreads
down the arms and trunk, then over the thighs, lower legs and feet
At the same time, the fever rises sharply,
often as high as 104 to 105.8 F (40 to 41 C) before the rash gradually recedes,
fading first from the face and last from the thighs and feet.
Risk factors for measles include:
*Being
unvaccinated. If you haven’t received the vaccine for measles, you’re much more
likely to develop the disease.
*Traveling
internationally. If you travel to developing countries, where measles is more
common, you’re at higher risk of catching the disease.
*Vitamin A
deficiency. If you don’t have enough vitamin A in your diet, you’re more likely
to have more-severe symptoms and complications.
Complications of measles may include:
*Ear infection.
One of the most common complications of measles is a bacterial ear infection.
*Bronchitis,
laryngitis or croup. Measles may lead to inflammation of your voice box
(larynx) or inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways
of your lungs (bronchial tubes).
*Pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a common complication of measles. People with compromised immune
systems can develop an especially dangerous variety of pneumonia that is
sometimes fatal.
*Encephalitis.
About 1 in 1,000 people with measles develops a complication called
encephalitis. Encephalitis may occur right after measles, or it might not occur
until months later.
*Pregnancy problems. If you’re pregnant, you
need to take special care to avoid measles because the disease can cause
preterm labor, low birth weight and maternal death.
Prevention—family members
If someone in your household has
measles, take these precautions to protect vulnerable family members and
friends:
* Isolation.
Because measles is highly contagious from about four days before to four days
after the rash breaks out, people with measles shouldn’t return to activities
in which they interact with other people during this period.
It may also be necessary to keep
nonimmunized people — siblings, for example — away from the infected person.
*Vaccinate. Be
sure that anyone who’s at measles risk receives the vaccine as soon as
possible.
The first vaccine dose for infants is
usually given between 12 and 15 months, with the second dose typically given
between ages four and six years. If you’ll be traveling abroad before your
child is a year old, talk with your child’s doctor about getting the measles
vaccine earlier.
If you’ve already had measles, your
body has built up its immune system to fight the infection, and you likely will
not get measles again. For everyone else, there’s the need for measles vaccine.
Treatment:
There’s no specific treatment for an established measles
infection. However, some measures can be taken to protect vulnerable
individuals who have been exposed to the virus. Your doctor can advise you of
your best course of action.
Post-exposure
vaccination.
Nonimmunized people,
including infants, may be given the measles vaccination within 72 hours of
exposure to the measles virus to provide protection against the disease. If
measles still develops, the illness usually has milder symptoms and lasts for a
shorter time.
Immune serum globulin.
Pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune
systems who are exposed to the virus may receive an injection of proteins
(antibodies) called immune serum globulin. When given within six days of
exposure to the virus, these antibodies can prevent measles or make symptoms
less severe.
Medications—after consulting with your doctor.
*Fever reducers.
You or your child may also take over-the-counter medications such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Motrin, others)
or naproxen (Aleve) to help relieve the fever that accompanies measles.
*Antibiotics. If a
bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or an ear infection, develops while you
or your child has measles, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.
*Vitamin A.
Children with low levels of vitamin A are likely to have a more severe case of
measles. Giving vitamin A may lessen the severity of the measles. It’s
generally given as a large dose of 200,000 international units (IU) for
children older than a year.
Communicable period:
A person with measles can spread
the virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash
appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.
Post-exposure vaccination:
Nonimmunized people, including infants,
may be given the measles vaccination within 72 hours of exposure to the measles
virus to provide protection against the disease. If measles still develops, the
illness usually has milder symptoms and lasts for a shorter time.
Immune serum globulin. Pregnant
women, infants and people with weakened immune systems who are exposed to the
virus may receive an injection of proteins (antibodies) called immune serum
globulin. When given within six days of exposure to the virus, these antibodies
can prevent measles or make symptoms less severe.
Lifestyle and home remedies:
If you or your child has measles,
keep in touch with your doctor as you monitor the progress of the disease and
watch for complications. Also, you can try these comfort measures:
*Take it easy. Get
rest and avoid busy activities.
*Sip something.
Drink plenty of water, fruit juice and herbal tea to replace fluids lost by
fever and sweating.
*Seek respiratory
relief. Use a humidifier to relieve a cough and sore throat.
*Rest your eyes.
If you or your child finds bright light bothersome, as do many people with
measles, keep the lights low or wear sunglasses. Also avoid reading or watching
television if light from a reading lamp or from the television is bothersome.
For a complete version of the acclaimed Mayo Clinic Article
log onto http://www.mayoclinic.org.
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