Measles

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Measles is also called rubeola (roo-BEE-oh-lah). It is an infection (in-FEK-shun) of the throat, airways (tubes leading to the lungs), the lungs, and skin. Children and adults may get the measles, but it is more common in young children. Most people are completely well 10 to 14 days after measles signs and symptoms appear. The best way to keep from getting measles is to get an MMR vaccination (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella shot).

What causes measles? Measles is caused by the rubeola virus (germ). Measles may quickly spread to others who are not immune (have not had MMR shots or the infection). It is easily spread from an infected person to others by coughing, sneezing, or talking. Your child can catch measles by eating or drinking from cups, plates, or utensils used by an infected person. If your child touches toys or objects used by an infected person, germs can stay on his hands. When your child puts his hands in his mouth or eats food, the virus can go into your child's mouth. The virus can be spread for several days before the start of the rash until the rash is gone.

What are the signs and symptoms of measles? Once your child is exposed (infected), it may take seven to ten days for signs and symptoms to appear. Your child's measles may begin like a cold. He may have fever, coughing, runny nose, and sore throat. He may have muscle aches or pain. Your child may have red, irritated eyes that are sensitive to (bothered by) bright lights. Your child may also have the following signs and symptoms:

• Not hungry.
  
  
• Skin rash. A red or reddish-brown rash usually appears two to three days after your child starts feeling sick. It may first appear as tiny spots that later join together to make larger patchy bumps. Your child's fever may increase until the rash begins to appear. The measles rash usually begins on the face and head. It then may spread to the trunk (chest and back) and arms, then down to the legs and feet. This rash usually disappears in five to eight days, and may cause the skin to peel afterward.
  
  
• Tiny white spots that appear inside the mouth, usually on the underside of the cheeks.
  
  
• Tired and fussy.
  
  
• Abdominal (belly) pain or vomiting (throwing up). You child may also have diarrhea (deye-ah-REE-ah) (loose, watery bowel movements).

How can I help my child while he has measles?

• Ease your child's discomfort.
  
  
  • Cough Medicine: Your child may need a cough suppressant (su-PRES-ant). This medicine may decrease your child's urge to cough and help him rest.
    
    
  • Fever Medicine: Your child can take acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen) or ibuprofen (eye-bu-PROH-fen) for pain and fever. Do not give your child other over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without first talking to your child's caregiver. Some of these medicines also contain acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen can hurt your child's liver. Do not give your child aspirin. It may cause a serious disease called Reye's syndrome. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin. Aspirin may also be called salicylate (sah-LIS-i-layt) or acetylsalicylate (a-SEET-il sah-LIS-i-layt).
  
  
• Help your child to rest. Your child should rest as much as possible and get plenty of sleep.
  
  
• Run a humidifier. Run a cool mist humidifier to increase air moisture in your child's room. Follow the humidifier instructions carefully for running and cleaning it. Direct the mist stream towards your child's face, but keep the humidifier out of your child's reach. Using the humidifier will help loosen the mucus in your child's throat and make it easier to breathe. It may also soothe your child's cough.
  
  
• Feed your child healthy foods. Feed your child a variety of healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help your child feel better and have more energy. It may also help him get better faster. If your child is not hungry or he gets tired easily, try feeding him smaller amounts more often.
  
  
• Give your child plenty of liquids. Help your child drink at least six to eight (8 ounce) cups of liquid each day. This will help prevent him from becoming dehydrated. Dehydration (dee-heye-DRAY-shen) is caused by not drinking enough liquid, or by losing too much body water. Body water can be lost with diarrhea, vomiting, or high fevers. Signs of dehydration include dry skin and mouth, and dark urine or less urine than usual. Good liquids to drink are water, some fruit juices, and decaffeinated sports drinks. Limit the amount of caffeine your child drinks. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, and in some soda pops and sports drinks and foods. Read the ingredient labels to learn if foods and drinks contain caffeine.
  
  
• Give your child ORS if he needs it.
  
  
  • If your child is dehydrated or will not eat regular food, he may need oral rehydration (ree-hi-DRAY-shun) solution (ORS). It has the right amounts of water, salts, and sugar your child needs to replace lost body fluids. Ask your child's caregiver if your child should have ORS to drink. Some types of ORS are ready to use. These should not be mixed with water or anything else. Other types of ORS come as a powder you mix with boiled or bottled water. Follow your child's caregiver's directions when making this kind of ORS.
    
    
  • Start with small sips of the ORS, especially if your child is vomiting (throwing up). Slowly give your child more ORS if your child does not throw up. Continue to feed your child food and give your child drinks along with the ORS. Offer your child cooked cereal, rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, applesauce, or soup. Make sure your child is getting some salt. Salt is found in foods and drinks such as crackers or broth. Do not give sports drinks to babies or toddlers.
  
  
• Keep your baby's nose clear. Use a bulb syringe to gently clean your baby's nose. Wash the bulb syringe after each use. Clean out your baby's nose before breast or bottle feeding so he can breathe easier while feeding. You may need to feed your baby smaller amounts more often if he gets tired during feedings. Clean your baby's nose before putting him down to sleep.
  
  
• Take care of your child's eyes. Your child's eyes may be sensitive to (bothered by) light for a few days. Blot your child's eyes often with a clean, wet cotton ball. Wearing sunglasses or staying in a darkened (dim) room may also be helpful.
  
  
• Do not let anyone smoke around your child. Smoking can harm your child's heart, lungs, and blood. If you smoke around your child, he is more likely to get certain types of infections. He is also more likely to get lung disease and cancer later in his life. If you smoke, you should quit. You will not only help yourself, but also those around you. If you are having trouble quitting, talk to your caregiver about ways to quit.
  
  
• Prevent your child from spreading measles to others.
  
  
  • Keep your child away from others, especially people who have never had measles or an MMR shot. Keep your child away from pregnant women or people with long-term medical problems. Examples of these medical problems are low immunity (cannot fight infection very well) problems such HIV or cancer. If a person who is not immune is exposed to measles, he should see his caregiver within three days. The caregiver may be able to give the person a shot to help decrease his chance of getting measles.
    
    
  • Keep your child home from school or day care until the fever and rash are gone. This usually takes about eight days. Call your child's school or daycare to tell them your child has the measles.
  
  
• Ask your child's caregiver about vaccinations. After your child's measles go away, talk to your child's caregiver. Ask if your child needs any other vaccinations (shots) to prevent other illnesses.
  
  
• Contact the following organization to learn more about MMR vaccinations.
  • The National Immunization Program Public Inquiries
    1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-05
    Atlanta, GA 30333
    Phone: 1-800-232-4636
    Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
    

Risks:

• Measles is highly contagious (very easily spread to others). Even if you live in a country where measles is uncommon, you may still get measles. If you have not had MMR shots or measles in the past, you or your child may catch measles. This can happen if you or your child travel to a foreign country where measles outbreaks occur. People who travel to or from other countries can spread the measles virus to the country where you live.
  
  
• Measles can lead to serious medical problems. Measles can lead to infections caused by bacteria. Your child may get a throat, airway, or lung infection. Measles may lead to ear infections. Rarely, it may affect your child's brain. This may cause your child to have seizures (convulsions), or may lead to brain damage. Complications (problems caused by having measles) such as these may cause your child to die.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

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