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Measles
Signs and symptoms:
This highly, most infectious of the childhood diseases,
presents itself in the form of a pink rash that starts behind
the ears and across the forehead, with the virus spreading
through the air in minute droplets of moisture. The child will
have a raised temperature, with a dry cough and irritated red
eyes, appearing to have a severe cold. The child may also vomit
and suffer with diarrhoea.
A definite diagnosis of measles can be made 2 days prior to
the rash, by looking for small red spots (Koplik's spots), on
the inside of the child's cheeks. The rash could spread over the
entire body, with the temperature lowering once the rash
appears. There may be some peeling of the skin, and a slight
brown staining where the rash was present.
The common complication after developing measles, is another
illness forming on top of it. This is usually caused by a
bacteria which attacks, either the ears or lungs, with children
under two years being particularly at risk from this type of
secondary infection.
Incubation period:
10 - 12 days.
Infectious stage: 3 days after the disappearance of
the rash.
Treatment:
- There is no cure for measles, but complications that
arise, such as ear infections or pneumonia will respond well
to treatment.
- The measles vaccine, given as part of your child's
immunisations is 95% effective in preventing the disease.
- Give the child plenty of fluid to drink and any food she
feels like.
- Recovery is usually complete within ten days.
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