| In Part 1 I explained how a lack of knowledge about | | | | They are photographed on my website. |
| measles symptoms and resistance to MMR has | | | | 5. The temperature will probably have reduced a bit by |
| resulted in some parents starting up 'measles parties' | | | | now to 37 - 38C (just at or below 100F). You think |
| to ensure that their children caught measles early and | | | | perhaps she is getting better. |
| so gain immunity that way. This is mistaken in my view | | | | 6. The main rash starts to appear about 1 or 2 days |
| and many people are unaware that measles is still a | | | | after the Koplik's spots. It forms small spots which join |
| major killer. In part II I will explain to parents what the | | | | together to form blotches. Definitely doctor time! There |
| measles symptoms are, in what order they should | | | | is a picture of a measles rash on my website. |
| appear and when to call a doctor. | | | | 7. The rash appears on the forehead around the |
| As a parent you should learn how to recognise | | | | hairline first, then to the neck, body, arms and legs. By |
| measles symptoms. If your child has had the disease, | | | | this time you will have called a doctor and your child is |
| or is immunized, you probably don't need to know this, | | | | diagnosed with measles unless you have an |
| but if not you could save a life by being aware of the | | | | inexperienced doctor, when samples may be taken to |
| most important measles symptoms and when to get | | | | identify the virus. |
| medical help. Back in the 1950s and 60s they all knew | | | | 8. The temperature increases again to over 40C or |
| measles symptoms when they saw the, but not now, | | | | higher (105F). No need for samples now - if the Koplik's |
| so let's try to spot the them in the rough order in which | | | | spots were missed, this is definitely measles, but by |
| they normally appear. It's not easy since many | | | | now it is dying out. |
| childhood infections have similar symptoms. However, | | | | 9. The rash lasts about 4 days then starts to |
| they all have at least one which is particular to that | | | | disappear from the head down. The whole process, |
| disease. | | | | from start of symptoms to disappearance of the rash, |
| Measles symptoms: | | | | takes about 10 days on average. The rash itself last |
| Measles frequently start with symptoms similar to | | | | about 6 days. |
| those of a cold or the flu. | | | | A person with measles is infectious from 4 days |
| 1. First a runny nose and a 'sniffle', followed by a sore | | | | before the rash appears to about 4 days after it has |
| throat.. A typical 'barking' cough can then develop. So | | | | appeared, so it can be passed around before any |
| far, you would not think 'measles' The eyes will puff up, | | | | measles symptoms show. |
| may become watery and get red and sore looking. If | | | | Those most at risk are: |
| you know of a possible measles contact you can now | | | | Young children under one year old. Malnourished |
| get suspicious. | | | | people. Children who have depressed immune |
| 2. A slight increase in temperature will develop, and will | | | | systems, such as those on some cancer treatments |
| increase to around 39 Celsius (102F). The child may | | | | or are infected with HIV or AIDS. Children suffering |
| shy away from the light or close her eyes when a light | | | | from a Vitamin A deficiency. Pregnant women: the |
| is switched on. At this point you may want to call a | | | | infection can cause miscarriage or premature delivery. |
| doctor. If so, you will catch the disease early, but the | | | | It is said that a doctor's surgery can be a dangerous |
| symptoms are not yet definitely indicative of measles. | | | | place. Measles is extremely contagious, and around |
| Most parents will still regard these symptoms as a' bit | | | | 90% of close proximity contacts will catch the disease. |
| of a cold' or a 'touch of the flu'. | | | | If any of the above high risk patients are present in the |
| 3. You may not notice this, but about 2 to 3 days after | | | | surgery waiting room when you take your child |
| the first symptoms appear, your child will get small | | | | suspected of having measles, you may be placing |
| spots on the inside of the cheek, round about the | | | | them at special risk. |
| molars, called Koplik's Spots. These look like small red | | | | Doctors may not like this, but for this reason alone I |
| bumps with tiny grains of sand or salt in the middle. | | | | suggest that you call a doctor rather than take a child |
| These may last less than a day and sometimes even | | | | suspected of having measles to the surgery. This is |
| appear within the first 36 hours. If you are with it and | | | | another argument against those who would rather |
| aware, you will see this, and you should call your | | | | have their child catch measles at a measles party than |
| doctor at this stage. This the definitive measles | | | | be given a vaccination to prevent them from |
| symptom. No other infection shows Koplik's spots. | | | | contracting it. |
| These spots disappear as the main rash appears. | | | | |