Measles is a viral infection characterized by the appearance of a rash throughout the body and is highly contagious. Measles can be very disturbing and leads to more serious complications. Symptoms of measles begin to appear about one to two weeks after the virus enters the body. These symptoms include:
- Red eye.
- Eyes become sensitive to light.
- Signs such as a cold (eg sore throat, runny nose, or nasal congestion).
- Fever.
- Grayish gray spots on the mouth and throat.
Spots or red-browned rash will appear on the skin after a few days later. The order of occurrence of these spots from behind the ears, around the head, then to the neck. In the end the rash will spread throughout the body. In addition, patients also have the potential to experience swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.
You should contact your doctor, clinic, or the nearest hospital if you suspect you or your child has measles. Diagnosis of measles can be done by looking at the symptoms that appear. But to ensure the diagnosis of measles, saliva and blood samples were taken for the test.
This disease is also called rubeola or red measles. Vaccines are available to prevent this disease. The vaccine for measles is included in part of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, German measles).
Spread of Measles Virus
For people with measles, measles virus is present in the sparks of fluid released when they sneeze and cough. Measles virus will infect anyone who inhale sparks of this fluid.
Measles virus can survive on the surface for several hours and can survive stick to other objects. When we touch an object that has been splattered by measles virus and then put a hand to the nose or mouth, we can get infected.
Measles is more common in toddlers. But basically everyone can get infected with this virus, especially those who have not been exposed to measles or who have not received measles vaccination.
Measles Treatment
To speed up the recovery process, there are a few things that can help:
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
- Many breaks and avoid sunlight as long as the eyes are still sensitive to light.
- Drink fever-lowering medication and pain reliever. Do not give aspirin if your child is less than 16 years old.
Measles Complications
Complications from measles can be very dangerous. Although the number of people with measles complications is quite small, the disease must remain alert. Examples of complications are inflammation of the ear, bronchitis, lung infections (pneumonia), and brain infections (encephalitis).
- The baby is under a year old.
- Children with poor health conditions.
- People with chronic illness.
- People with weak immune systems.
Prevention of Measles
MMR vaccination is a joint vaccine for German measles, mumps and measles. MMR vaccination is given twice. First given when the child is 13 months old, then the next is given when they are aged 5-6 years or before entering elementary school.
Measles Complications
Although rare, measles can lead to serious complications. Infants and children with malnutrition are the most vulnerable to catching measles. In addition to those, the immune people are low (eg AIDS sufferers, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, or chronic disease sufferers) and pregnant women are also vulnerable to contracting.
Below is a measles complication that can happen:
- Seizures due to fever.
- Eye infections.
- Middle ear infections.
- Respiratory and lung infections (eg pneumonia and bronchitis).
- Dehydration.
- Inflammation of the vocal cords.
As for the rare measles complications are:
- Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).
- Encephalitis (brain infection).
- Eyes squint due to viral effects on the nerves and muscles of the eye.
- Hepatitis or liver infection.
- Problems with the nervous system and heart.
- Optic neuritis or inflammation of the eye nerve that can cause permanent blindness.
- Thrombocytopenia or decreased platelet counts that are functioning to freeze blood.
- Pregnancy problems (eg miscarriage, premature infants, or low-birth weight babies).
Children aged over 1 year with healthy body condition rarely experience complications.