Incubation period: 8-21 Days

Infectious Period: From four days before the appearance of the rash and for five to ten days after it disappears. The period of communicability (when the affected child can infect others) ranges from four days before the onset of the rash and up to five days after its appearance. Children can safely mix with others from five days after the appearance of the rash and when accompanying symptoms (see below) are alleviated.

Cause: A virus (also know as Rubeola) that is only active amongst humans. During the onset of the disease and early stages of eruption, the virus is found in the mucous membranes of the mouth, respiratory tract, conjunctiva (inner corners of the eye) and bloodstream. The measles virus is transferred by sneezing and coughing (both characteristic preceding symptoms) by means of the droplets contaminating and carried in the air.

Description & Symptoms: Measles is an acute infectious disease characterised by generalised fever and eruptions. Children are highly susceptible to infection, with the highest incidence occurring in those under five years but rarely contracted in infants less than six months. The blotchy rash with raised pinky-red spots, starts behind the ears and spreads down the body. The disease can incubate for a number of weeks before symptoms develop into a full-blown rash. Preceding symptoms include a fever, cough, sore/irritated eyes, and uncharacteristic behaviours including clinginess for up to three weeks after contact with a carrier. Liquid, green diarrhoea is often present in smaller infants. If these symptoms are present but the rash yet to appear, look inside your child’s mouth for small spots like granules of sand, surrounded by redness. These spots, called Koplik spots will confirm measles before the characteristic rash appears over the following 24-48 hours. This is a shedding of the cells of the inner cheeks, inner surface of the lips and on the gums. The eye symptoms are usually quite marked, with an inflamed, streaming, watery appearance, often accompanied by photophobia (intolerance of light). It is common for the fever to increase gradually over a period of three days, with the rash appearing on the fourth day when the fever will reach its peak quite rapidly. The rash itself consists of small roundish red/pink spots, which are slightly raised above the level of the surrounding skin and usually contain a tiny papule in the centre. When close together, the spots can blend, giving them a more irregular appearance. The skin maintains its normal colour between the lesions. While the height of the disease is on the second or third day (when the accompanying fever, eye, cough, nasal and swelling symptoms are at their worst), the outbreak of the rash reaches its peak around the fourth day, covering the entire body. The eruption of the rash followed by a flaking of the skin, leaving a dusky appearance to the underlying layers, occurring from he face and ears down – the same order as the rash appears. An attack of measles does not ensure life long immunity, however subsequent attacks of measles are rare.

Effects:

• Pregnant women should try to avoid exposure and infection as it may result in miscarriage or premature labour.


• Be cautious about suppressing fevers as most complications arise from doing this- the disease needs to “burn itself out” as naturally as possible. These complications include ear infections, respiratory problems, pneumonia and rarely encephalitis – swelling of the brain. Careful attention, care and management of fever will reduce the likelihood of such manifestations.


• The most common effects in children are bronchitis; ear infection, laryngitis, pneumonia and encephalitis. It is believed that these conditions, including asthma are bought on if the preceding symptoms and subsequent eruptions are suppressed by medications. It is rare for complications to arise if the disease is allowed to run its natural course and eruptions are abundant.


• Infection of malnourished and immune compromised children, who can suffer further weight loss and in sever forms, protein-calorie malnutrition.

Conventional Treatment:

• There is no treatment to cure the measles. Because a virus causes measles, it cannot be treated with antibiotics. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.


• Vaccination is the conventional preventative approach to measles. Given as part of a triple vaccine covering, measles, mumps and rubella. This is probably the most controversial of all childhood vaccinations due to its links to autism and other learning and behavioural disorders.


• Immune globulin is often given to non-vaccinated people within a week of exposure to the measles. This is especially appropriate for infants or immune compromised people who live in a house with a measles-contagious person.


• Medications vary according to the accompanying symptom as there is very little that can be given to treat the rash itself. Pain relievers and fever reducers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are often prescribed. Remember never to give aspirin to children or teenagers because it may cause a disease known as Reye syndrome. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or calamine lotion suggested to ease the itch of the rash, although an itch is not often present. Antibiotics may be prescribed for ear and eye symptoms but will not alleviate the measles virus itself.

Alternative Treatment:

• Homeopathic treatment is beneficial at all stages of the disease, especially in preventing more serious complications in the fever/cough/eye irritation phase. Aconite and Bryonia are often the most commonly prescribed medicines. Preventive protection can be obtained by consulting a Homeopath via Homeopathic prophylaxis programs. Whilst this is more a long-term schedule of protection, development of the disease can be halted with the measles nosode Morbillinum when contact with an infected carrier has been made. You will need to consult a professional Homeopath as soon as possible for such treatment to be effective.
  
• Resign yourself to the fact nursing a measly child will take at least a full week.


• Encourage your child to rest and sleep as much as possible.


• Protect your child’s sore eyes from bright light with closed curtains, dimmed light. Bathing the eyes with dilute Eyebright tea or Euphrasia lotion is very soothing.


• Clean the mouth and teeth regularly.


• Vitamin C, Echinacea and Olive Leaf Extract given at the onset of symptoms, can improve the immune system’s capabilities to fight infection.


• Give light protein rich foods such as egg yolks.

Seek professional help if:

• Your baby is under 6 months and contracts measles.
• An accompanying cough is not relieved with four days of home treatment.
• Severe earache accompanies measles.
• Your child’s condition is not improving after three days of the appearance of the rash or they improve then relapse.