Measles treatment for children

Measles (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth

What Is Measles?

Measles is a very contagious respiratory infection. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. Measles is rare in the United States thanks to widespread immunization. But millions of cases happen worldwide every year.

Measles (also called rubeola) is caused by a

virus, so there's no specific medical treatment for it. The virus has to run its course. A child who is sick should drink plenty of liquids, get lots of rest, and stay home from school or daycare to prevent spreading the infection.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Measles?

The first symptoms of a measles infection are usually a hacking cough, runny nose, high fever, and red eyes. Kids also may have Koplik's spots (small red spots with blue-white centers) inside the mouth before the rash starts.

The rash breaks out 3–5 days after symptoms start, sometimes along with a high fever up to 104°F (40°C). The red or reddish-brown rash usually begins as flat red spots on the forehead. It spreads to the rest of the face, then down the neck and torso to the arms, legs, and feet. The fever and rash slowly go away after a few days.

Is Measles Contagious?

Measles is very contagious. In fact, 9 out of 10 people who aren't vaccinated for measles will get it if they are near an infected person.

How Do People Get Measles?

Measles spreads when people breathe in or have direct contact with virus-infected fluid. It can pass through droplets sprayed into the air when someone with measles sneezes or coughs. Someone exposed to the virus usually shows symptoms 7–14 days later.

People with measles can spread the disease from 4 days before the rash starts until about 4 days after that. They're most contagious while they have a fever, runny nose, and cough. Those with weak immune systems due to other conditions (like HIV and AIDS) can spread the measles virus until they recover.

How Is Measles Treated?

There is no specific medical treatment for measles. To help manage symptoms:

give your child plenty of fluids
encourage extra rest
give a non-aspirin fever medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen if a fever makes your child uncomfortable. Never give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness, as such use is linked to Reye syndrome.

Kids with measles should be closely watched by a doctor. In some cases, measles can lead to other problems, such as:

ear infections
croup
diarrhea
pneumonia
encephalitis (irritation and swelling of the brain)

Children with measles should be kept away from others for 4 days after their rash appears. For those with a weak immune system, this should continue until they make a full recovery and all symptoms are gone.

How Long Does Measles Last?

A measles infection can last for several weeks. Symptoms usually start 7–14 days after someone is exposed to the virus.

Can Measles Be Prevented?

The best way to protect your kids is to make sure they're immunized against measles.

For most kids, measles protection is part of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) given when they're 12 to 15 months old and again when they're 4 to 6 years old.

The vaccine can be given to babies as young as 6 months old if they will be traveling internationally. Talk to your doctor to see when the vaccine is needed.

Why Is Vaccination Important?

Widespread immunization has made measles rare in the U.S. But outbreaks do still happen. An outbreak is when a disease happens in greater numbers than expected in a particular area. Measles outbreaks have been increasing worldwide, mostly due to people not being vaccinated.

It's important for all kids who can get the vaccine to get it on time. At-risk people (such as those with weak immune systems) can't get the vaccine. But when a lot of other people are immunized against a disease, it protects them, prevents the disease from spreading, and helps prevent outbreaks.

At highest risk during a measles outbreak are:

infants who aren't old enough to get the vaccine
pregnant women
people with poor nutrition or weak immune systems

Doctors can give an injection of measles antibodies (called immune globulin) to at-risk people who are exposed to measles. It's most effective when given within 6 days of contact. These antibodies can either prevent measles or make symptoms less severe.

The measles vaccine also can help protect unvaccinated people from getting sick after exposure to measles if they get it within 3 days.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call the doctor right away if you think that your child has measles. Also call if your child was around someone who has measles, especially if your child:

is an infant
is taking medicines that suppress the immune system
has tuberculosis, cancer, or a disease that affects the immune system

Reviewed by: Michelle P. Tellado, MD

Date reviewed: September 2019

Measles in babies and children

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can cause serious complications for anyone who becomes infected. The broad uptake of measles vaccination through the Australian National Immunisation Program means that the disease is now quite rare in Australia.

However, outbreaks still occur, with overseas visitors and returning residents bringing back the virus, so it is important to make sure your child is vaccinated on time.

What are the symptoms of measles?

The most recognised symptom of measles is a characteristic rash, which appears after a few days of general illness with fever. The rash develops with flat discoloured skin and small bumps but is not itchy. It starts on the face or upper neck and then spreads over the body.

Some early signs and symptoms of measles include:

fever
conjunctivitis (sore, red eyes)
symptoms of a cold (runny nose, sneezing, feeling tired and generally unwell)
cough

A child who is infected might start to show symptoms about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the measles virus. The symptoms can last for up to 14 days.

If your child has measles, they may not want to eat or they may have diarrhoea or swollen lymph nodes.

How does measles spread?

Measles is one of the most contagious of all childhood illnesses. If someone is in the same room as an infected person, this alone may be enough for them to contract the virus, and 9 out of every 10 unvaccinated people who come into contact with the virus will get measles.

A person who has the measles virus will be contagious from about one day before they start to feel unwell or about 4 days before the rash starts. They will need to stay away from all unvaccinated people for at least 4 days after the rash first appeared.

If you child has been near someone with measles, keep them at home until you have spoken with your doctor.

How do I reduce the chance of my child catching measles?

On-time vaccination is the best way to prevent measles. The Australian National Immunisation Program provides free vaccination for all Australian children. Your child should receive 2 doses of measles vaccine from 12 months of age, with at least 4 weeks between doses.

If your child is over 6 months and you are travelling to a country where measles is present, your doctor may be able to give them an extra dose to protect them. This has been shown to be safe.

Immunisation and vaccinations for your child

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting children agaist certain diseases. Discover more about childhood vaccinations.

What if I think my child has measles?

If you think your child may have measles, you should contact your doctor immediately. Do not go to the clinic since you don’t want to infect people in the waiting room. Rather, call your doctor and they will let you know the safest way to see them. Your doctor may be able to diagnose your child’s measles from their symptoms and will confirm with a sample taken from their nose or throat or from a urine test. Sometimes they might need a blood test too.

Measles is considered a notifiable disease and contact tracing is necessary to prevent spread and to protect more vulnerable people, such as those with lower immunity. This group might include people who are being treated for cancer and babies who are too young to have been vaccinated.

If your child has measles, your doctor will notify the public health unit and they may ask to talk with you to try and find where your child caught measles, and to identify anyone your child has been in contact with. This way, they can limit further spread as well as offer advice, treatment and/or vaccination to other people at risk of infection too.

Make sure you let your doctor know if there is anyone in your household who is unwell — for example, someone who is taking medicines such as high-dose steroids or who is receiving chemotherapy.

Other people at particular risk include pregnant women (if they haven’t been vaccinated) and young babies who have not yet been vaccinated, such as infants under 12 months of age.

How do I treat my child with measles?

There is no specific treatment for measles. Your child should rest, drink plenty of fluids and can take paracetamol for their fever and discomfort — but be sure to check the dosage instructions on the pack.

You should look out for complications. Ear infections, pneumonia (severe lung infection) and swelling of the brain, which may be life-threatening, may also occur.

Children under the age of 5 are at higher risk of complications, as are adults, particularly those with other chronic illnesses.

Measles can be a very serious illness, with some children needing to go to hospital. If you are concerned in any way, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.

Are you pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
Learn more about how measles during pregnancy can affect you and your baby.

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Measles - signs, symptoms, treatment of measles in children - Murmansk City Children's Clinic No.

By smaweb 08/16/2020 Healthy child

Measles is an acute infectious disease, the distinguishing features of which are a typical rash, as well as damage to the conjunctiva of the eyes and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

Nature, development and spread of infection
Measles is a viral infection spread by airborne droplets. The measles virus enters the body through the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, from where it spreads through the blood throughout the body. The virus selectively damages the cells of the skin, mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract and oral cavity, which causes typical manifestations of the disease. nine0005

The source of measles infection is only a sick person capable of shedding the virus into the external environment from the last two days of the incubation period to the fourth day after the onset of the rash. People who have not received prophylactic measles vaccination and have not had measles throughout their lives remain susceptible to infection, so the disease can develop at any age.

Before the introduction of measles vaccine, 95% of cases were in children under 16 years of age. After the widespread vaccination of children, a significant decrease in the incidence of measles was noted, but individual cases and limited outbreaks were noted constantly, and now there is a tendency for them to increase. Complete protection against measles requires immunization 94-97% of children under 15 months of age. However, this level of vaccination is practically unfeasible even for developed countries.

Measles outbreaks can also occur among vaccinated individuals (67-70% of all outbreaks). As a rule, they are typical for older age groups (children of school age, teenagers, military personnel, students, etc.). The nature of such cases of the disease is associated with a drop in the intensity of immunity after a long period (10-15 years) after vaccination.

Signs and course of the disease
The duration of the latent period of infection is 9-11 days. The introduction of immunoglobulin for prophylactic purposes can contribute to its lengthening up to 15-21 days (sometimes more). From the second half of the latent period, the initial symptoms of the disease may be noted (weight loss in a child under one year old, evening subfebrile condition, slight cough and runny nose, swelling of the lower eyelid, redness of the conjunctiva).

The initial non-specific period begins with an increase in body temperature to 38-39°C, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite are noted. Cough acquires a rough "barking" character, runny nose and redness of the conjunctiva intensify. During this period, the doctor can identify a specific sign of measles - small whitish spots on the mucous membrane of the cheeks, soft and hard palate, similar to semolina or bran (Filatov-Koplik spots).

On the 3rd-4th day, the fever decreases somewhat, but from the moment the rash appears, it increases again. The same applies to signs of damage to the respiratory system. The period of the rash is characterized by a strict staging. First, the elements appear on the face and neck, on the 2nd day - on the trunk, thighs, arms, on the 3rd day, the elements of the rash appear on the feet and legs, and on the face they already turn pale. As a rule, the maximum number of elements of the rash is localized on the face, upper chest and neck. nine0005

The rash is represented by irregularly shaped patches, slightly elevated in the center above the surface of the skin. The spot diameter usually does not exceed 10 mm, the spots show a tendency to merge. The fading of the rashes begins on the 3-4th day after their appearance, they leave behind a brownish pigmentation, later peeling occurs on the face and trunk in these places.

A typical sign of measles is conjunctivitis, which in most cases is purulent. Often there is gluing of eyelashes in the morning (when waking up) with purulent discharge. The layering of a purulent infection can cause the development of pneumonia. A severe complication is damage to the central nervous system, which is quite rare. nine0005

Treatment of measles disease in children and adults | Private clinic "Zdoroveyka"

February 18, 2019

Measles: causes, routes of infection, symptoms, treatment and prevention of the disease

Measles in children occupies a special place among contagious infectious diseases. Symptoms of this acute infectious pathology in children are high fever, a characteristic measles rash, sore throat, cough, severe intoxication of the body. Any child or even an adult can get measles, and measles can lead to serious complications and sometimes death. It is known that measles annually claims the lives of 150,000 people worldwide, mostly children under 10 years of age. Therefore, any person, especially parents of small children, should know well what measles is. nine0005

Causes of disease

The source of infection in measles is a sick person. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets and is extremely contagious. Prevention of measles in children is carried out in the form of routine vaccination in two stages. The formed immunity protects against measles or, in case of infection, helps to transfer the disease in a mild form and without complications.

The causative agent of measles is a paramyxovirus. Paramyxovirus itself is unstable outside the body, quickly destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet rays, low humidity, but persists at low (up to -70 ° C) temperatures. nine0005

How measles is transmitted

The seasonality of the incidence of measles - from October to April - is associated with the accumulation of people in the premises. Infection with measles of children often occurs in preschool institutions. Cases of infection through third parties are extremely rare due to the rapid destruction of the virus in the external environment.

The causative agent of the infection is transmitted by airborne droplets from a sick person to a healthy one. Of particular danger is the release of the active virus to patients during the incubation period, when 3-4 days remain before the onset of rashes and accurate diagnosis by the clinical picture of the disease is not possible. nine0005

A person with measles is dangerous to others for 7-10 days. The measles virus is highly contagious, with a close-contact transmission rate of almost 100% in the absence of vaccination. The causative agent can also travel by air, for example, through stairwells, ventilation shafts in apartment buildings.

In recent decades, due to the introduction of vaccination in routine vaccinations, the incidence of children has significantly decreased, however, among the adult population, a fairly high number of people who do not have immunity to paramyxovirus remain, which causes an increased number of adult patients, as well as the occurrence of cases of intrauterine infection of the fetus from a mother with measles. nine0015 If a person has been ill with measles, then he has a strong immunity for life, and the disease is unlikely to be re-infected. Cases of measles relapse are usually associated with conditions of immune deficiency.

Measles infection in children under two years of age most often occurs when the mother does not have immunity to paramyxovirus, natural or developed after vaccination. Given the danger of measles to infants, the vaccine against paramyxovirus is included in the recommended list of vaccines for women who are planning a pregnancy and do not have specific immunity. nine0005

Measles incubation period

The causative agent of measles enters the human body through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and organs of vision.

Three days after penetration, the paramyxovirus enters the bloodstream, spreads through the lymph nodes, settles in the spleen, where it actively multiplies in the bloodstream during the incubation period (from 7 to 17 days).

At the end of the incubation period for measles, a new generation of paramycovirus spreads throughout the body, affecting the skin, conjunctiva, organs of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and nervous systems. nine0005

How measles manifests itself

The clinical symptoms of measles in a child and in an adult are different due to the difference in physiological processes, the maturity of the body and the formation of immunity. Quite often, in adults, the disease is more severe than in childhood.

Measles, childhood symptoms

Measles in children manifests itself differently depending on the period of the disease. The initial period, characterized by catarrhal symptoms and signs of general intoxication, lasts from 3 to 5 days. nine0005

Symptom	Development mechanism
hyperthermia	An increase in body temperature is a protective reaction of the body.
Psychomotor agitation, sleep impairment, hyperreactivity to stimuli, moodiness	The consequence of the penetration of paramyxovirus into the cortex and other parts of the brain. nine0097
Rhinitis (runny nose), with a clear mucous discharge, sore throat, hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membranes	The virus damages the capillaries of the upper respiratory tract, the nasal mucosa is activated and produces a protective protein. This process is accompanied by the appearance of signs of irritation of the throat and nose. Swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract can develop up to laryngospasm.
Cough	The inflammatory process in the airways extends to the vocal cords. Symptoms typical of measles develop - hoarseness, hoarseness and a characteristic "barking" cough.
Conjunctivitis, photophobia	Swelling of the inner membranes of the eyelids contributes to the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria, the inflammatory process contributes to the onset of an irritation reaction to bright light. nine0097
Puffiness, puffiness of the face	These signs of measles occur due to inflammatory processes in the cervical lymph nodes provoked by paramyxovirus. They are accompanied by swelling, stagnation of blood and lymph in the blood vessels of the head.
measles enanthema	It is formed on the 2-4th day of the disease on the mucous membrane of the soft palate in the form of red spots up to half a centimeter in diameter. After 24-48 hours merges with general hyperemia of the throat mucosa. nine0097
Velsky-Filatov-Koplik spots	These characteristic spots appear on the 3-5th day on the buccal mucosa in the area of chewing teeth in the form of small white spots with a red border due to the necrosis of part of the mucosa in the foci of paramyxovirus reproduction.
Gastrointestinal symptoms	Abdominal pain, refusal to eat, frequent stools, nausea, vomiting as a result of damage to the intestinal mucosa. nine0097

The catarrhal period of measles is replaced by a period of characteristic measles rashes on the skin. The rash appears 3-4 days after the manifestation of the disease, primarily on the front of the head. Further, the rash spreads to the neck, upper body and gradually covers the entire body, including the limbs.

Measles rashes are called maculopapular exanthema, manifesting themselves as irregularly shaped pink nodules rising above the skin. Papules are surrounded by red spots, increasing in size, prone to merging with each other. During this period, general intoxication is manifested by headache and fever. Also, with exanthema, there is an increase in cough and runny nose. nine0005

The duration of this period is 4-5 days, after which the rash turns pale, changes color, and shrinks in size. The patient's condition improves, the contagiousness of the virus decreases.

The next period of measles is accompanied by a process of convalescence (skin pigmentation).

Symptom	Development mechanism
Changing the color of the rash nine0097	Five days after the start of the appearance of exanthema as a result of the deposition of melanin, a symptom of "dirty skin" occurs, spots of light brown color at the site of papular nodes.
Peeling of the epidermis	Dead cells of the horny epithelium fall off in the places of rashes.
General improvement in well-being	Normalization of body temperature, a decrease in the severity of catarrhal phenomena due to the production of anti-measles antibodies by the body. nine0097

This period lasts from 7 to 10 days and, in the absence of complications, ends with recovery.

Clinical manifestations of measles in adults

The clinical picture of measles in adults has the same periods as in childhood illness. However, the symptoms are more pronounced, the disease is more severe, and the likelihood of complications is higher. The symptoms are accompanied by tachycardia (more than 100 beats per minute), a decrease in blood pressure, a rash is accompanied by subcutaneous hemorrhages caused by damage to the capillaries. nine0005

Atypical measles

Allocate a typical clinical picture of measles with the preservation of all symptoms and compliance with the periodicity of development, and atypical forms:

mitigated,
abortive,
erased,
asymptomatic,
form with aggravated symptoms.

A mitigated or weakened form of measles is typical for patients who have undergone preventive procedures during the incubation period (introduction of immunoglobulin, steroid hormones, blood transfusion, plasma from immune donors, etc.). In this case, the incubation period can be extended up to 21 days. Signs of mitigated measles are not clearly expressed or are erased. The body temperature can remain within the normal range or rise to subfebrile levels, the period of rashes is reduced, the exanthema is pale, not abundant, there are no rashes on the mucous membranes. The disease proceeds quickly, without complications. nine0005

The abortive form of measles begins in the same way as a typical measles infection, however, clinical signs of the disease disappear on days 2-3. Hyperthermia is noted on the first day, after which the temperature returns to normal. The rash is present predominantly on the face and trunk.

The erased form is typical for patients who have immune protection against paramyxovirus injection of measles vaccine. Symptoms of measles are not expressed, the course is fast, without complications, the patient's condition is satisfactory. nine0005

The asymptomatic form is characterized by the absence of specific symptoms, being determined only by a laboratory blood test for immunoglobulins.

The form with aggravated symptoms is rare. Accompanied by severe intoxication of the body, hemorrhagic syndrome, more often characteristic of adults.

Treatment of measles in children and adults

Specific treatment aimed at combating paramyxovirus does not yet exist. Treatment is based on reducing the severity of symptoms, preventing or stopping complications. nine0005

Of primary importance is the observance of a sparing bed rest for 7-10 days from the onset of the disease and a dairy-vegetarian diet. Spicy, fatty, fried foods, dishes that irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract are excluded from the diet.

Important in the treatment of a patient with measles is the observance of the drinking regime in view of the possible dehydration of the body due to fever, frequent stools, diarrhea. If necessary, resort to the use of electrolyte solutions. nine0005

The prescription of vitamins is specific: it is known that the disease is much more difficult to tolerate in patients with a lack of vitamin A. Thus, the appointment of a single drug or multivitamins is part of the therapy for measles infection.

Preventive measures

Measles is dangerous with severe complications: measles pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis, obstructive bronchitis, laryngostenosis and others. Contrary to popular belief, measles is not limited to fever and skin rashes, but can have a long, severe course with a pronounced effect on various internal organs and require a long rehabilitation period. Complications can lead to disability or death. nine0005

Young children are vaccinated to prevent infection. Vaccination is carried out at the age of 1 year and 6 years. After it, immunity persists for a long time, but is not always lifelong. Therefore, in adulthood, revaccination is indicated in case of loss of post-vaccination immunity.