Spot measles and get the right treatment

Measles (which is also known as morbilli) is a highly contagious viral infection. It is considered to be a childhood illness, but teenagers and adults can also catch it. How do you catch measles? Measles is caused by the measles virus. Measles is an airborne infection. Droplets containing the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours, making it easy for them to infect people. That’s why you should stay at home if you have measles.

Cases of measles must be reported. This means that laboratories communicate their findings to the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

The symptoms of measles in children and adults vary depending on what stage the disease is at.

• Prodromal stage:
  The prodromal stage of measles is characterised by the typical symptoms of a cold, such as a fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough and inflammation of the oral mucous membranes. Fatigue, headache and stomach ache are also some of the first symptoms of measles. You may also experience problems with yourdigestion, such as diarrhoea or constipation. Some sufferers may also develop conjunctivitis. In cases of measles, the rash starts out as small red patches with a white centre. These develop on the oral mucous membranes at first, before spreading to the throat. The fever reduces at first. The prodromal stage lasts three or four days.
• Main stage:
  The fever rises again during this stage, and is accompanied by a reddish, blotchy rash that starts behind the ears and spreads to the entire rest of the body, apart from the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. The rash turns brownish-purple after a few days, and fades in four to seven days. The skin may flake.

Measles lasts about two weeks in total. Simple cases heal quickly and without complications. However, the measles virus can weaken the immune system for months or even years afterwards, making the body more susceptible to other diseases such as pneumonia. Other potential complications of measles include middle-ear infections and meningitis (which can be life-threatening).

You must take any complications seriously. Consult a doctor immediately if you notice any of the symptoms in your child.

Measles in adults

The symptoms of measles in adults are similar to those in children, but the risks are greater. Measles more often leads to complications in adult women and men.

• In men, measles has a 15% to 30% chance of leading to a testicular infection, which in rare cases can cause infertility. As far as we know, there is no link between measles and impotence.
• Measles poses a particular risk during pregnancy, because the virus can get through the placenta to the baby. Measles causes premature labour for about one in four pregnant women who contract it. This leads to miscarriage or premature birth.
• Measles is very dangerous to babies, whether they contract it before or after birth. This is because even if a newborn recovers from a measles infection, there is a risk of consequences further down the line because its immune system is weakened.

If you suspect that your child has measles, you should go straight to your paediatrician. A lab test will provide clarity. There are a number of different tests for measles, such as looking for certain antibodies in the blood. This test is usually positive as soon as the characteristic rash appears. Another test looks for RNA viruses that are specific to measles. This involves taking samples of urine or saliva, or swab samples.

The cause of measles cannot be treated, so measles treatments aim to relieve the symptoms of the disease. Some important steps you can take to treat measles are listed below:

• Immediate vaccination: if you or your child come into contact with a sick person, getting vaccinated within three days can still help. This applies to people who are not vaccinated at all as well as those who have only been vaccinated partially or have an increased risk of complications, pregnant women who are not immune, babies under the age of six months, and patients with weakened immune systems.
• Isolation: isolation is important with measles, as that is the only way to avoid infecting others. Leave your child at home and call your paediatrician. If your child contracts measles, you and everyone in your household should quarantine yourselves. This is because infection occurs before the first symptoms appear.
• Reduce the fever: if necessary, use antipyretics with active ingredients such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. Medication containing the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid is not suitable for children. Cold calf compresses are a natural alternative. These involve wrapping cool, damp cloths around your child’s calves. Leave them on for about ten minutes. Repeat this procedure two or three times depending on how comfortable your child is with it.
• Exercise caution with febrile seizures: if your child suffers a febrile seizure, remove any injury hazards from their vicinity and make sure there is plenty of fresh air in the room. Talk to your doctor in order to rule out any other diseases.

Measles is a disease that should be taken seriously and can affect people of any age. Look out for the signs of it in you and your child, and consult professionals. That way, you’ll protect yourself and your family, and avoid infecting anyone else.