There is a close and important relationship between measles and malnutrition (i.e. undernutrition). Measles is far more severe in children who are malnourished, especially if they are also vitamin A deficient. In addition, complications are more common and more serious in malnourished children. Measles, especially with complications such as diarrhoea, often results in failure to [...]
Otitis media Laryngotracheobronchitis with a severe cough and stridor (measles croup) Pneumonia. This may be viral (measles, herpes or adenovirus) or bacterial Gastroenteritis Oral herpes or candidiasis (thrush) Keratitis (infection of the cornea) with possible corneal ulcers due to measles or herpes virus Encephalitis (rare but serious) Reactivation of tuberculosis Immunosuppression Measles depresses the immune [...]
Measles has an incubation period of about 10 days (the delay between infection and the start of the illness). At first the child develops a fever, runny nose, conjunctivitis and cough, and is generally unwell. Two days after the start of the illness, Koplik spots appear. These are numerous small white spots on a granular [...]
Measles is caused by a virus. It is an acute, very infectious (contagious) illness and is transmitted from person to person when the measles virus is breathed, coughed or sneezed into the air and then inhaled by another person who becomes infected by droplet spread. Measles often occurs in epidemics and is an important cause [...]
The child should be kept away from other children until 5 days after the rash first appears. By this time the child is no longer infectious to others. Measles is most infectious during the 4 days of illness before the rash appears. Paracetamol for fever Adequate oral fluids to prevent dehydration Vitamin A for all [...]
By immunising all children with measles vaccine. This is usually given at 9 months and again at 18 months. Measles vaccine is a highly effective and has resulted in the disappearance of measles in many communities. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccines (MMR) are often combined and given together. Clinical measles can be prevented in an [...]
