Measles Treatment

Measles Treatment

Measles is an infectious condition caused by a virus known as rubeola. Measles can be more chronic and sometimes life-threatening among young children. What’s more, it can spread from one person to another through direct contact with an infected individual or tiny droplet in the air.

According to medical research studies, nearly 20 percent of the patients who acquire this disease are required to remain in hospital. Furthermore, the fatality rate ranges from 1 to 3 in 1,000 reported cases.

The current measles treatment and prevention method is vaccination. This provides effective long-term protection against the disease. However, not everyone is eligible for the vaccination due to health conditions like a weak immune system.

How Measles and Associated Symptoms Develop

The virus causing measles can get into the body through the eyes, mouth, or nose. Once in the body, it travels towards the lungs and infects the immunity cells. The infected cells travel to the lymph nodes and spread to other cells, which then move throughout the body. These cells also release the viral particles into the bloodstream.

As the blood circulates in the body, it transports the virus to various body organs. It includes the skin, liver, spleen, and central nervous system.

The virus triggers capillaries inflammation in the skin, resulting in rash development. Sometimes, the virus can cross over the blood-brain barrier and get into the brain system. This can result in severe swelling of the brain, which is a life-threatening complication.

On the other hand, a lung infection results in coughing, and the infected person can transmit the virus to others. Therefore, a person who has not yet received measles vaccinations or has never contracted the disease can become sick. This is if they breathe in the droplets or come to close contact with the infected patient.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Measles

Measles is a viral condition that results in uncomfortable signs and symptoms. These can also cause life-changing or fatal complications. Medical research states that the patient can start experiencing the symptoms after 7 to 14 days of exposure. But sometimes, it can take more than that before they appear.

Some of the common signs and symptoms you may experience include;

Coughing
High fever
Sneezing
Running nose
Extreme body aches
Red rash that appears 3 to 5 days after the symptoms begin
Development of white spots in the mouth a few days after the early symptoms

Complications of Measles

Complications of measles often vary from one person or child to another. This can occur if the condition is not diagnosed and treated early enough. Some of the complications that might arise are;

Infection of the ear: This is the most common complication that is associated with measles. It can occur in both children and adults.

Encephalitis: This is an infection that makes the brain swell. Approximately 1 out of 1,000 patients suffering from measles can develop this complication. Encephalitis can arise immediately after exposure or after a few weeks.

Pneumonia: This is a respiratory infection associated with measles. Mostly, patients with immune system deficiency are at a high risk of developing dangerous pneumonia that can be life-threatening.

Additional infections: Measles can cause infections and inflammation of the larynx (voice box). It can also result in inflammation of the inner voice box walls that align the main air path of the lungs (bronchial tubes).

Pregnant women: Pregnant mothers require special health care to prevent measles. This is because the condition can cause problems such as low birth weight, maternal death, and preterm delivery.

Risk Factors Associated With Measles

Some of the common risk factors associated with measles include;

International traveling: You are at a high risk of acquiring measles if you travel to developing nations where measles is rampant.

Lack of vaccination: There are high chances of developing measles if you have not yet received the measles vaccine.

Vitamin A deficiency: Insufficient or lack of vitamin A in the regular diet increase the chances of developing severe measles-related symptoms and complications.

Measles Diagnosis

Measles Diagnosis

In case you suspect that you have contracted the disease or get exposed to an infected person, you should immediately seek medical attention. The healthcare providers can help evaluate the condition further. If the issue is more intense, they can recommend you to professional medical experts to check the extent of the infection.

Doctors can identify measles through an examination of the skin and analyzing the symptoms associated with the condition. It can be coughing, fever, sore throat, or white spots in the mouth.

Sometimes, the doctors can request a blood test to check for the virus. This is recommended if they suspect that the condition is based on medical history and genetics. Urine samples or throat swab tests can also be used to confirm the presence of the measles virus.

Measles Treatment

Basically, there is no exact cure or treatment designed to address measles infection. Nonetheless, certain helpful measures can be taken. This is to ensure that vulnerable children and adults who have been exposed to measles are safe and protected. These measures include;

Early vaccination

Early vaccination

Individuals, who have not been immunized, including the newborns, can receive measles vaccination within 72 hours after exposure to the virus. This helps prevent the disease from advancing and severely affecting them. However, if the condition still advances, it’s usually associated with mild symptoms that disappear after a short period.

Immunity serum globulin injection

The newborns, pregnant mothers, and individuals with a weak immune system can get an injection of the protein or antibodies. It’s referred to as immune serum globulin, administered after exposure to the measles virus. If the injection is administered six days after exposure, the antibodies help prevent the virus from advancing. It also helps ease the symptoms and make them less chronic.

Other effective medications that can help with measles include;

Antibiotics:

At times, a bacterial infection, including ear infection and pneumonia, develops in patients with measles. In such cases, doctors can recommend antibiotics to help ease the symptoms and make them less severe.

Fever relievers:

Over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and acetaminophen can help alleviate fever associated with measles infection. However, you should note that administering aspirin to young children and adolescents with measles virus symptoms is not recommended. This is because aspirin medication is associated with Reye’s syndrome. Although rare, Reye’s syndrome is potentially a fatal condition, especially in children with flu-like symptoms.

Vitamin A:

Individuals with a lower level of vitamin A in their system often experience adverse symptoms associated with the virus. Therefore, administering vitamin A helps reduce the severity of the condition in both children and adults.

Some of the home remedies and tips to help manage measles symptoms include;

For coughs, using a humidifier or placing a wet towel on a warm radiator can help moisten the air. Taking a honey drink or warm lemon can also help. However, this should not be given to young children below one year.
For the eyes, you can consider removing crustiness using cotton wool partially soaked in water. If your eyes are hypersensitive, then you should dim them.
If you are dehydrated, then drinking plenty of fluids is crucial.

Other Preventive Measures

While vaccination against measles is essential, not every individual can receive the vaccine. Luckily, there are several measures that can help prevent the condition. For instance, if you are prone to infections, then you can consider the following;

Practicing and maintaining proper hand hygiene. It’s always essential to thoroughly wash hands after using the bathroom, before eating any food, and before touching the nose, face, or mouth.
Avoid coming into direct contact with an infected person.
Avoid sharing personal belongings with infected patients. It can be things such as drinking glasses, spoons, eating utensils, or toothbrushes.

On the other hand, if you are suffering from the disease, then you can consider the following measures;

Avoiding direct contact with individuals who are highly susceptible to infections. It can be the infants who have not received vaccination and people with a weak immune system.
Staying home and avoiding going to school or work and public areas until you are no longer contagious. This should commence after 3 to 4 days of developing the measles rash.
Washing hands frequently and disinfecting the objects and surfaces you touch more often.
Covering the mouth and the nose when coughing or sneezing. If you are using tissues, then ensure that you dispose of them appropriately. Also, if you don’t have a tissue, you can sneeze on the elbow crook.

Conclusion

Measles is a viral infection that normally begins in the respiratory system. It’s a chronic condition caused by rubeola and remains one of the significant causes of death globally. Luckily, this has gradually changed over the past few years. Thanks to the invention of effective treatment, vaccination, and preventive measures.

CloudHospital is committed to providing comprehensive measles treatment and prevention to children and adults. It works with a number of professional experts trained to diagnose and provide a suitable treatment plan, including vaccination. Furthermore, they help manage both acute and chronic conditions as well as associated symptoms.