In the context measles epidemic, pediatrician Anita Pop (www.academica-medical.ro) explains in a given interview Ziare.com which are the first symptoms of the disease and how it evolves according to its phases: incubation period (10 days); pre-eruptive period (3-6 days); eruptive (4-6 days); Eruptive period (4-6 days); postoperative period (3-6 days).
The doctor highlighted the things that parents should pay attention to so as not to confuse measles with other diseases specific to childhood.
Given that measles is caused by a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics, the doctor states what the treatment is and how dangerous it is not to vaccinate our children against childhood diseases.
What are the first signs of measles?
In the onset phase, measles is characterized by high fever, which can exceed 40 degrees C, cough, conjunctivitis (redness of the eyes), coryza (nasal secretions) and the appearance of the disease-specific sign, the sign Koplik. This sign can be seen in the mucosa near the upper molars and consists in the appearance of small white spots, similar to sand grains.
What can parents do in this phase? How should it proceed?
Parents should consult their family doctors and / or pediatricians for a correct and timely approach to the disease, because measles is a contagious disease that requires isolation from the community.
What happens next? Should it be done in a certain way depending on the stage of the disease?
A few days after the first symptoms of the disease, generally after 10-14 days (7-21 days), the characteristic measles rash also appears. It consists of a maculopapular rash, spread to the face and neck, which includes in the next 24-48 hours the trunk, upper and lower limbs.
A characteristic of the rash is that it gradually disappears from the body in the same order in which it appeared. During this period, the child must be isolated at home for 4 days after the skin eruption.
Measles being caused by a virus cannot be treated with antibiotics, but what can we treat children with?
Although measles is caused by a virus, there is no antiviral therapy to combat it. The treatment is supportive. It consists of proper hydration and symptomatic medication. In case of complications, hospitalization and appropriate antibacterial treatment are recommended. The World Health Organization recommends vitamin A supplements in severe cases of measles.
After how long does it start to pass?
If no complications occur, the clinical course of measles lasts between 7 and 10 days (if there are no complications, ed.).
What complications can occur?
The most common complications are otitis media, laryngotracheobronchitis, bronchopneumonia and diarrhea. There are also cases in which serious complications that require hospitalization can occur (such as acute encephalitis or respiratory and neurological complications that can lead to death).
A rare complication is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis that occurs 7-10 years after measles infection.
How is measles transmitted?
Measles is a highly contagious disease. The virus that causes measles is transmitted through the air or through direct contact with drops from the nasal or pharyngeal secretions of the infected person who coughs or sneezes.
The virus can last outside the human body for up to two hours, depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment (room). The patient is considered to be contagious four days before and four days after the onset of the specific rash.
Is the measles vaccine mandatory?
The measles vaccine is mandatory. It is given as a combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
When should this vaccine be given?
For the best protection, the MMR vaccine is given at the age of one year, with a booster at the age of five. It prevents the appearance of measles in a proportion of 93% after the first vaccination and 97% after the booster at the age of five.
How do you comment on the fact that some parents refuse to vaccinate their children?
Vaccination is very important for the protection and prevention of diseases that could endanger the lives of our children or others. People at high risk of developing complications include infants and children under five, adults over 20, pregnant women and immunocompromised people (with leukemia or HIV infection).
Parents do not understand the risks they take by not vaccinating, the severity of the symptoms that the child will have can not be determined in advance. Although, these childhood diseases seem harmless, their complications can also be dramatic. We are obliged by the status of parent to offer our children a healthy life.
– .
