1. Definition
What is measles?
Compared to other diseases associated with fever and itchy rash, measles is the deadliest for children. This disease spreads very easily so it is very important to prevent your child from getting measles infection.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The symptoms of measles generally appear 7 seven to 14 days after the child is infected.
Measles usually starts with symptoms:
- High fever
- Cough
- Cold
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Two or three days after symptoms begin, small white spots may appear in the mouth.
Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash will appear. Usually there will be flat red spots on the face area, along the hairline, and will spread down to the neck, arms, ankles, and feet. Small bumps can also appear over the flat red spots. The spots may overlap together and spread from the head to the rest of the body. When the rash appears, the temperature of the fever will increase by more than 40 ° Celsius.
After a few days, the fever will go down and the skin rash should fade.
2. How to handle it
What should I do?
If you think you or your child has measles, contact your doctor immediately and explain what symptoms you are experiencing.
When should I see a doctor?
You should contact your doctor as soon as possible if you think you or your child may have measles.
Your doctor will usually be able to diagnose measles from a combination of symptoms you or your child is experiencing, however, a saliva sample can be tested to confirm the diagnosis.
3. Prevention
To prevent measles, children and some adults should also be immunized with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. Two doses of vaccine are required for good protection. Children should be given the first dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccines at 12 to 15 months of age. The second dose can be given 4 weeks later, but this vaccine can also be given before they start kindergarten, namely at the age of 4 to 6 years.
