All measles symptoms you need to know
After an incubation period that lasts between 7 and 14 days, it causes symptoms such as sore throat, high fever and conjunctivitis. After these signs a characteristic rash appears that begins on the face and then spreads throughout the body and extremities.
Measles symptoms, take note
It is transmitted by air, through cough, sneezing or droplets of the airways when speaking. The complications of measles are primarily respiratory, but can also be neurological and have serious consequences.
First it seems to be a strong cold ...
The first symptoms that usually appear are typical of a severe cold condition, with a high fever , nasal obstruction, dry cough and conjunctivitis (red eyes). These symptoms may be accompanied by a feeling of malaise, muscle aches , photophobia (discomfort with light) and swollen eyelids .
But days later we see the rash
About three days later another typical measles signal appears, the rash . It begins on the face and spreads within three days after the body and limbs, including the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet .
What are Koplik spots
Very characteristic of measles are the so-called Koplik spots , whitish , small and irregular lesions that can be seen in the mucosa of the mouth , on the inside of the cheeks and that usually remain a short time. The rash disappears after 4 or 6 days, leaving some peeling on the skin.
Measles Complications
How to treat this infection
Normally, measles treatment is done at home and addresses only the symptoms:
Vaccinate children, the most effective
Avoiding infection and vaccinating children is the best way to prevent measles. "As humans we are the only reservoir of the virus , if we get children not to suffer from the disease, the virus will disappear, as has already happened with smallpox, another viral disease that is eradicated," explains the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP ) on your website .
The measles vaccine is part of the triple viral and is given with vaccines for two other viral diseases: rubella and mumps (mumps). With it, children produce defenses or antibodies against these diseases preventing their spread in the future. The vaccine is administered within the vaccine schedule in two doses : the first at the age of one year and the second at 3-4 years of age, according to the autonomous community in which you reside.
Vaccination, explains the AEP, is effective and prevents the disease during the rest of life in more than 90% of children with only the first dose. The second dose protects most of those who were not covered with the first. It also prevents serious neurological complications in case of infection.
Measles symptoms, take note
It is transmitted by air, through cough, sneezing or droplets of the airways when speaking. The complications of measles are primarily respiratory, but can also be neurological and have serious consequences.
First it seems to be a strong cold ...
The first symptoms that usually appear are typical of a severe cold condition, with a high fever , nasal obstruction, dry cough and conjunctivitis (red eyes). These symptoms may be accompanied by a feeling of malaise, muscle aches , photophobia (discomfort with light) and swollen eyelids .
But days later we see the rash
About three days later another typical measles signal appears, the rash . It begins on the face and spreads within three days after the body and limbs, including the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet .
What are Koplik spots
Very characteristic of measles are the so-called Koplik spots , whitish , small and irregular lesions that can be seen in the mucosa of the mouth , on the inside of the cheeks and that usually remain a short time. The rash disappears after 4 or 6 days, leaving some peeling on the skin.
Measles Complications
- Measles is considered a benign viral disease, but it can cause some complications.
- The most frequent are otitis media , diarrhea or pneumonia .
- More serious complications may also occur that affect the central nervous system, although they are more rare.
- An example is encephalitis , which may appear in the weeks following measles, or subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which may arise years later after suffering from the disease.
- When the child has diminished defenses or is malnourished, the evolution of the disease can be more complicated and even fatal .
How to treat this infection
Normally, measles treatment is done at home and addresses only the symptoms:
- Anti-thermal to control fever (paracetamol).
- Frequent eye washings .
- Dim light against photo phobia and plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration of the patient.
- Antibiotics do not work to treat the disease and the doctor will only administer them in case of bacterial infectious complications, such as pneumonia .
Vaccinate children, the most effective
Avoiding infection and vaccinating children is the best way to prevent measles. "As humans we are the only reservoir of the virus , if we get children not to suffer from the disease, the virus will disappear, as has already happened with smallpox, another viral disease that is eradicated," explains the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP ) on your website .
The measles vaccine is part of the triple viral and is given with vaccines for two other viral diseases: rubella and mumps (mumps). With it, children produce defenses or antibodies against these diseases preventing their spread in the future. The vaccine is administered within the vaccine schedule in two doses : the first at the age of one year and the second at 3-4 years of age, according to the autonomous community in which you reside.
Vaccination, explains the AEP, is effective and prevents the disease during the rest of life in more than 90% of children with only the first dose. The second dose protects most of those who were not covered with the first. It also prevents serious neurological complications in case of infection.
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