Measles in a child is a fairly common infectious disease, which is accompanied by a rash throughout the body and damage to the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and eyes.
It is a consequence of infection with a virus that is transmitted by airborne droplets. It enters the child’s body through the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. Measles in a child is manifested by damage to the skin, mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes.
The disease has an incubation period, which can last an average of 9 to 11 days. But sometimes after 5-6 days the first symptoms may already appear (cough, runny nose, conjunctival redness, swelling of the lower eyelid). After a few days, you may notice in your child an increase in body temperature, decreased appetite, and weakness.
Unambiguously determine measles in children, the symptoms (photo below) of which are pretty similar to a common cold, can be done by examining the patient’s oral cavity - a small white rash forms on the mucous cheeks and gums.
Then comes the period when it gradually appears on the body of the child. First, you can notice a rash on the face and neck, the next day - already on the arms, trunk and hips, and on day 3 - on the legs and feet. Most of all she spills on the upper body. On approximately the 4th day of the appearance of spots, they begin to gradually disappear, and pigmentation remains in their place, which subsequently causes peeling of the skin.
Measles in a child is accompanied by the appearance of conjunctivitis with purulent discharge.
Treatment of the disease is usually carried out at home, and with complications the patient is subject to hospitalization.
The basic rule for treating measles is bed rest and strict hygiene for your child. The patient should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as this causes additional eye irritation. Therefore, it is recommended to place the bed farther from the window.
In general, the child’s body is able to independently cope with
the measles virus. Your task is only to relieve him of the symptoms accompanying the disease (temperature, conjunctivitis, cough). To this end, it is necessary to give the child more drink (for example, fresh juices, herbal teas, compotes), as well as special coughing preparations if he suffers from a constant dry cough. In addition, during the period of measles, you should adhere to a diet. The food should be light. You can give your child vegetables, boiled meat. Be sure to strengthen the immunity of a sick baby by conducting vitamin therapy. Consult a doctor about which complexes will be most effective for him. You yourself can give ascorbic acid and vitamin A. It can also be used in the form of drops, instilled into the eyes in order to prevent or treat conjunctivitis.
Measles in a child can cause serious complications in the form of laryngitis, pneumonia, otitis media, encephalitis, etc. In such cases, hospitalization must be carried out so that the patient is constantly under the supervision of doctors.
In order to prevent the onset of this disease, preventive measures must be observed. The most effective of these is a measles vaccine. Children do it at 12 months. This is a comprehensive MMR vaccine (measles, rubella, mumps).