Measles in a child: symptoms and treatment

Measles in a child - this is a fairly common infectious disease, which is accompanied by a rash all over the body and affecting the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and eyes.

It is the consequence of infection with a virus that is transmitted by airborne droplets. In the body of a child, he gets through the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. Measles in a child is manifested by damage to the skin, mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes.

The disease has an incubation period, which can last an average of 9 to 11 days. But sometimes in 5-6 days the first symptoms (cough, runny nose, redness of the conjunctiva, swelling of the lower eyelid) can already manifest themselves. In a few days you can notice your child's body temperature increase, decreased appetite, weakness.

Definitely measles in children, the symptoms (photo below) which are quite similar to a common cold, can be viewed by examining the mouth of the patient - a mucous cheeks and gums form a small rash of white.

Then comes a period when it is gradually manifested on the body of the child. First you can notice a rash on the face and neck, the next day - already on the hands, trunk and thighs, and on day 3 - on the legs and feet. Most of all, it pours out on the upper body. Approximately on the 4th day of the appearance of spots, they begin to gradually disappear, and in their place remains pigmentation, which will later cause skin peeling.

Measles in a child is accompanied by the appearance of conjunctivitis with purulent discharge.
Treatment of the disease occurs, as a rule, at home, and in case of complications the patient is hospitalized.

The main rule of treatment for measles is adherence to bed rest and strict hygienic care for the child. The patient should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as this causes additional eye irritation. Therefore, it is recommended to place the bed away from the window.

In general, the child's body is able to cope with the measles virus on its own . Your task is only to relieve him of the accompanying symptoms (temperature, conjunctivitis, cough). To this end, it is necessary to give the child more drinking (for example, fresh juices, herbal teas, compotes), as well as special coughing drugs if he suffers from a persistent dry cough. In addition, during the disease, measles should follow a diet. Food should be easy. You can give the child vegetables, boiled meat. Be sure to strengthen the immunity of a sick kid by taking vitamin therapy. Ask your doctor about which complexes will be most effective for him. Independently you can give ascorbic acid and vitamin A. It can also be used as drops, bury it in the eye with the purpose of preventing or treating conjunctivitis.

Measles in a child can cause serious complications in the form of laryngitis, pneumonia, otitis, encephalitis, and the like. In such cases, it is necessary to conduct hospitalization, so that the patient is constantly under the supervision of doctors.

In order to prevent the appearance of this disease, it is necessary to follow preventive measures. The most effective of these is measles vaccination. Children do it in 12 months. This is a comprehensive MMR-inoculation (measles, rubella, parotitis).