In Part 1 I explained how a lack of knowledge about measles symptoms and immunity to MMR has led to some parents starting up’measles parties’ to make certain that their children caught measles early and so get immunity like that. This is confused in my opinion and several folks do not know that measles remains a major killer.
Symptoms
As a parent you need to learn how to recognise measles symptoms. If your child has had the disease, or is immunized, you probably don’t have to understand this, but if not you could save a life by being conscious of the most significant measles symptoms and when to get medical assistance. Back in the 1950s and 60s they knew measles symptoms when they watched the, but not today, so let us try to see them in the rough order in which they normally appear. It’s hard since many childhood infections have similar symptoms.
Take note
However, they have at least one that is particular to this disease. Measles often start with symptoms like those of a cold or the flu.
- First a runny nose and a ‘sniffle’, followed by a sore throat. . A typical ‘barking’ cough can then develop. Up to now, you wouldn’t believe’measles’ The eyes will puff up, may become watery and get red and sore looking. If you know of a probable measles contact now you can get suspicious.
- A small increase in temperature will grow, and increases to approximately 39 Celsius (102F). The child may shy away from the light or close her eyes when a light is switched on. At this time you might want to call a physician. In that case, you will catch the disease early, but the indicators aren’t yet certainly indicative of measles. Most parents will still respect these symptoms as a’ little cold’ or a’touch of the flu’.
- You might not notice this, but about two to three days following the first symptoms appear, your kid will acquire modest spots on the inside of the cheek, around about the molars, called Koplik’s Spots. These seem like little red bumps with small grains of salt or sand in the center. These may last less than a day and sometimes even appear within the first 36 hours. If you’re with it and aware, you will realize that, and you should call your doctor at this point. This the definitive measles symptom. No other disease shows Koplik’s spots. These stains disappear as the most important rash appears. They’re photographed on my site.
- The temperature will most likely have reduced a bit by today to 37 – 38C (only at or under 100F). You think perhaps she’s getting better.
- The most important rash begins to look about 1 or 2 days following the Koplik’s spots. It creates small spots which combine together to form blotches. Definitely doctor time! There’s an image of a measles rash on my site.
- The rash appears on the forehead around the hairline , then into the neck, body, legs and arms. By this time you’ll have called a doctor and your child is diagnosed with measles if you don’t have an inexperienced physician, when samples might be taken to recognize the virus.
- The temperature increases again to over 40C or higher (105F). No need for samples now – if the Koplik’s spots were missed, this is definitely measles, but it is dying out.
- The rash lasts about 4 times then begins to vanish from the head down. The entire procedure, from beginning of symptoms to disappearance of the rash, takes about ten days typically. The rash itself last about 6 days.
Final note
Someone with measles is contagious from 4 days before the rash appears to approximately 4 times after it has appeared, therefore it can be passed around before any measles symptoms show. Young children under a year old. Malnourished folks. Children who have depressed immune systems, like those on some cancer therapies or are infected with HIV or AIDS. Children suffering from a Vitamin A deficiency. Pregnant women: the disease can lead to miscarriage or premature delivery. It’s said that a physician’s surgery can be a dangerous location.
Measles is very contagious, and around 90 percent of near proximity contacts will catch the illness. If any of the above high risk patients exist in the surgery waiting room when you take your child suspected of having measles, you might be placing them at particular risk. Doctors may not enjoy this, but for this reason I recommend that you call a physician instead of take a child suspected of having measles to the operation. This is another argument against those who would rather have their child catch measles in a measles party than be given a vaccination to prevent them from contracting it.