The term "Belsky-Filatov-Koplik spots" refers to a variety of rashes characteristic of a disease such as measles. Pathology has an acute anthroponous viral nature. Measles can be diagnosed in both children and adults. In this case, urgent hospitalization of the patient to the hospital is indicated. The following are symptoms of measles, treatment and prevention of the disease.
Description of the disease
Infection affects the upper respiratory tract of a person. In addition, the mucous membranes of the oral cavity are involved in the pathological process. As a result, the general condition of the patient worsens, his body temperature rises and conjunctivitis occurs. A characteristic rash appears on the skin. The spots are very itchy, which cause severe discomfort.
Measles is a highly contagious disease. According to statistics, 99% of people in contact with the virus carrier become infected. Pathology also poses a danger to the patient's life. With untimely treatment, a lethal outcome occurs. According to statistics, around the world, 15 people die every hour from measles.
Causes
The causative agent of the disease is paramyxovirus. It enters the environment by sneezing or coughing an infected person. Thus, the pathology is transmitted to healthy people by airborne droplets.
Moreover, the virus has practically no resistance to the negative effects of the external environment, that is, outside the human body, it dies very quickly. Thus, in order for infection to occur, it is necessary to be in the same room with the patient. After 5 days from the appearance of the rash, the person becomes harmless to others.
Symptoms in children
Many parents worry about how to determine measles in their child and do it in a timely manner. It is important to remember that the disease develops gradually. It goes through several stages. The first is not accompanied by the occurrence of any clinical manifestations. Typically, the incubation period for measles is 9 or 11 days. Less often, the duration of this stage is reduced to 7 or increases to 28 days.
Then the disease goes through the following stages:
- Catarrhal. In a child, the body temperature initially rises to high values. Then there is a pronounced inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract. Concurrently, conjunctivitis occurs. The eyes turn red, the patient appears photophobia and scleritis, swollen eyelids. After a while, a purulent secret begins to form and separate. After this, Belsky-Filatov-Koplik spots characteristic of measles appear. They are localized on the mucous membrane of the lips, cheeks, as well as on the gums. These rashes are a diagnostic symptom of measles. When they appear, the doctor gets the opportunity to confirm the presence of the disease and begin to draw up the most effective treatment regimen. After the occurrence of spots, patients note disorders of the stool, they complain of pain in the abdomen. Then a small pinkish-red rash appears on the skin. If the course of the pathology is severe, muscle cramps can disturb. Often, patients have clouded consciousness.
- Stage of rashes. Small spots look like nodules. In a short time, the rash increases in size, in some places there is a merger. In this case, spots can be both multiple and single in nature. Initially, they appear on the wings of the nose and behind the ears. After 1 day, the rash covers the entire face, neck, chest and upper back. After 2 days, the spots spread to the entire body and also affect the upper part of the hands. After another day, all limbs are covered with a rash.
- Stage pigmentation. At this stage, the general condition of the child improves: the body temperature indicator normalizes, the severity of the inflammatory process in the eyes and upper respiratory tract decreases. The rash begins to peel off and become dark brown. The pigmentation process proceeds in the same order in which spots appeared. After about 7-14 days, peeling and rash disappear without leaving any marks on the skin.
To understand what measles looks like, just look at the photo below. The image shows characteristic spots formed on the skin.
Clinical manifestations in adults
Symptoms are similar to those characteristic of children. However, adults are more difficult to tolerate the disease. The intensity of clinical manifestations is much stronger.
The following symptoms are added to the main symptoms:
- The presence of blood in the feces and urine.
- Accelerated heartbeat.
- Runny nose.
- Cough.
- General weakness.
Regarding what day the spots of Belsky-Filatov-Koplik appear. They form by the end of 1 or 2 days. After a few days, a rash appears. Initially, nodular formations are visualized on the neck, behind the ears and on the face. Then they spread throughout the trunk and upper limbs. After a few hours, the rash can be found on the legs.
Forms of the disease
Pathology can have several degrees of severity:
This is a typical form of ailment. The degree of its severity is determined by the severity of the intoxication process in the body. As a rule, children tolerate measles more easily. In adults, the intensity of clinical manifestations is much stronger.
There is also an atypical form of the disease. Signs of measles in this case are erased, some of them are completely absent.
Diagnostics
If disturbing symptoms occur, you must call the ambulance. The operator will inform the person about what measles and other possible diseases of an infectious nature look like. If you suspect a contagious disease, the operator will send a team of doctors to the patient. Measles is treated in a hospital. The patient is drawn up in an infectious ward.
To confirm the diagnosis, a number of studies are necessary:
- General clinical blood test.
- Assessment of the biochemical composition of urine.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect antibodies to the virus.
- X-ray examination of the chest. It is necessary for the timely detection of complications of the disease.
Based on the results of a comprehensive examination, the doctor draws up the most effective treatment regimen.
Diagnostic symptom of the disease
A specific sign of the disease is the spots of Belsky-Filatov-Koplik. They form on the skin by the end of the first day or on day 2. They are a pathognomonic sign, due to the presence of which the doctor confirms suspicions that the patient has measles. Spots Belsky-Filatov-Koplik allow you to make the correct diagnosis at an early stage of the disease, that is, until the moment when a small rash begins to appear on the skin. Due to this, the doctor has the opportunity to draw up a competent and effective treatment regimen.
In the presence of spots, it seems as if the mucous membrane in the patient's mouth is sprinkled with bran or semolina. However, they can be both meager and plentiful.
In most cases, spots are localized opposite small molars. Formations rise above the surface of the mucous membrane. The tubercles are white, with clear red borders.
In isolated cases, Belikov-Filatov-Koplik spots merge. In such situations, they begin to spread along the mucous membrane of the entire oral cavity (with the exception of the palate). In medical practice, there have been cases when spots formed in the anus and vulva.
Rashes on the skin persist for 2-3 days. As a rule, they disappear before the appearance of nodular neoplasms. The doctor during examination may note the fact that the patient's skin became velvety in places where until recently Belsky-Filatov-Koplik spots were localized.
In some cases, a red rash appears along with them. It can be localized on the back of the pharynx, tonsils, arches and palate. It appears 1 or 2 days before the onset of measles rash.
Treatment
The measles therapy regimen includes the following items:
- Compliance with bed rest.
- Reception of immunomodulators.
- The use of antihistamines.
- Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- The use of multivitamin complexes.
- Taking antibiotics.
- Local use of antiseptics.
- Drink plenty.
- Compliance with the daily routine.
- Following the principles of a therapeutic diet. From the menu it is necessary to exclude spicy and fried dishes, as well as products containing a large amount of animal fat.
Forecast
The outcome of the disease directly depends on the timeliness of going to the doctor. If the pathology was detected at an early stage of development, the prognosis is favorable. Subject to all medical recommendations, the clinical manifestations of the disease disappear in about 2 weeks.
Ignoring the disease leads to the development of all kinds of complications. The work of the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems is initially disrupted. If even at this stage competent treatment is not carried out, the risk of a fatal outcome increases.
Prevention
Vaccination is the only way to prevent the development of the disease. It was with its help that doctors were able to turn measles from a disease with an almost guaranteed fatal outcome into an ordinary infection.
Currently, both multicomponent and mono-vaccines are produced. They contain a weakened virus, which is not able to provoke the development of the disease, but in response to its presence, the immune system produces antibodies.
Regarding the age at which measles vaccine is given. The first vaccination is carried out at 12 months. Approximately 15% of children do not develop immunity after drug administration. Then at what age are measles vaccines repeated? All children are shown vaccination at age 6, that is, before they go to school.
Finally
Measles is a highly contagious disease. If you suspect an ailment, call an ambulance team. For doctors, an important diagnostic symptom is Belsky-Filatov-Koplik spots. These are white tubercles with evenly defined borders of a red tint, towering above the surface of the mucosa. As a rule, they disappear before a measles rash occurs.