WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Measles (ME-suls) is a viral infection that spreads very
quickly to people who have never had the disease or a shot
(vaccine). It infects the throat, airways, and lungs, as well
as the skin. After being around someone with measles, it will
take 1 to 2 weeks before you know whether you have it. The
disease is also called rubeola
(rue-be-O-luh).
Causes
Measles is caused by the rubeola
virus. Your chances of getting the disease are greater if you
have never had the measles shot (part of the MMR
shot).
Signs/Symptoms
The first symptoms are a high
fever, loud coughing, runny nose, and red eyes. These are
followed in 2 to 4 days by the appearance of tiny, white spots
in the mouth and throat. A day or two after that, a rash breaks
out on the forehead, then spreads around the ears and down onto
the body. The rash lasts 4 to 7 days.
Care
Antibiotics don't work against
measles, but you can give acetaminophen to ease the fever. Call
your child's school or daycare center right away and let them
know that your child has the measles. For advance
protection against measles, make sure all your children get MMR
shots. If you or a child have been around someone with measles,
ask your doctor about getting a gamma globulin shot.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO
-
Do NOT give aspirin to a
child with measles who is under 18 years of age. This could
lead to brain and liver damage (Reye's syndrome). Be sure
to check for aspirin on the label of any over-the-counter
medicines you buy.
-
You may give your child
acetaminophen for fever.
-
To relieve coughing, use a
cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture. Do not use
hot steam. You also may give your child honey, corn syrup,
cough drops, or a cough medicine.
-
Keep your child away from
people who have never had measles or the measles
vaccine.
-
Your child should rest as
much as possible and get plenty of sleep.
-
Give plenty of fluids (water,
juice, clear soups).
-
Your child's eyes may be
sensitive to light for a few days. Wipe the eyes often with
a clean, wet cotton ball. It will also help for the child
to wear sunglasses or stay in a darkened
room.
-
Keep the child home from
school or daycare until the fever and rash are gone. This
usually takes about 7 days.
Call Your Doctor
If...
-
Your child gets a high
temperature after being normal for a day or
two.
-
Your child brings up thick,
brown, green, or gray sputum while coughing, or the cough
lasts for more than 4 or 5 days.
-
Your child has a really bad
headache.
-
Your child has an
earache.
Seek Care Immediately
If...
-
Your child has trouble
breathing or is breathing very fast.
-
Your child has a headache,
drowsiness, stiff neck, and vomiting all at
once.
-
Your child has a
seizure.
-
Your child develops a very
high temperature.
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