How does measles develop in children?

Acute viral disease, measles, occurs mainly at an early age, so it is referred to as childhood infectious diseases. Transmission of the pathogen is carried out with inhaled air. The main signs of the disease - the phenomenon of intoxication, fever, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and the appearance of rashes on the skin.

Cause of illness

Measles is a disease of the viral etiology. Its causative agent is a virus from the family of paramyxoviruses. He is very unstable in the external environment, quickly dies when exposed to sunlight, disinfectants. The latent period of the disease accounts for about ten days. The virus, penetrating into the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, then penetrates into the blood. At the same time, it is introduced into the lymph nodes and the reticuloendothelial system and the formation of multi-nuclear structures. Because of inflammation in small vessels, a small-scale rash appears on the skin. Measles in children with an allergic background are more severe.

Clinical manifestations of the disease

After the latent period of the disease, manifestations begin that are combined in the catarrhal period. Measles in children begin with fever, a cold and dry cough. Mucous nasopharynx is hyperemic. The child becomes capricious, his appetite disappears. Typical for this disease are the appearance of spots Filatov-Koplik. They appear two to three days before the rashes on the skin and are localized to the mucous membrane of the cheeks and gums. The spots are pale white separately located papules that persist on the mucosa for about three days. Then there is a new wave of temperature rise, and with it appear rashes on the skin. First they appear on the upper half of the trunk, face, neck, lastly, on the lower limbs. The rash looks like small papules that can merge. During this period, intoxication is increasing. Then the rash is subjected to regression (reverse development) and in its place remain pigmented spots and a slight peeling.

Uncomplicated measles in children usually takes about ten days. After the illness due to weakened immunity, the body's resistance to diseases is reduced, asthenia persists. Therefore, it is important to provide the child with peace and proper nutrition, to ensure the reception of multivitamins.

In its flow, measles can be of light, medium and heavy form. Measles in children who have undergone a planned vaccination can take place in a blurred form.

Complications of the disease

Small children may develop croup due to stenosis of the larynx. A frequent complication is laryngitis. Inflammation of the middle ear, stomatitis, keratitis and pneumonia are less common. Very rarely, with severe disease and weakened immunity, measles encephalitis develops.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of a typical picture is not difficult, and measles is diagnosed already in the initial period. Serological methods help with more accurate diagnosis.

Treatment of measles

The easy uncomplicated course of the disease does not require special treatment. Symptomatic treatment is prescribed (antipyretic drugs, antibiotics according to indications). The child needs to provide peace, a warm abundant drink and try to make him spend more time in bed. Inpatient treatment is carried out only with severe forms of the disease. The forecast is favorable in most cases.

Prevention of measles is a routine vaccination of the child at the age of one and a half years, if there is no contraindication. If the unvaccinated child has been in contact with the patient, then the disease is prevented by administering an immunoglobulin. Ill person is to be isolated. Children in the team who communicate with the patient are subject to separation and isolation at home. Disinfection of premises is usually not carried out.