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Symptoms of Measles

Measles signs and symptoms appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Signs and symptoms of measles typically include :

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik's spots
• A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another.

The infection occurs in a sequence of stages during a period of two to three weeks. Infection and Incubation.

For the first 10 to 14 days after you're infected, the measles virus incubates. N have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.

Nonspecific signs and symptoms.

• Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, often accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), and sore throat. This relatively mild illness may last two or three days.
• Acute illness and rash.
• The rash consists of small red spots, some of which are slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face breaks out first.
• Over the next few days, the rash spreads down the arms and trunk, then over the thighs, lower legs, and feet. At the same time, the fever rises sharply, often as high as 104 to 105.8 F (40 to 41 C). The measles rash gradually recedes, fading first from the face and last from the thighs and feet.

Communicable period : A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for measles include:

1. Being unvaccinated. If haven't received the vaccine for measles, they're much more likely to develop the disease.
2. Traveling internationally. If travel to developing countries, where measles is more common, they're at higher risk of catching the disease.
3. Having a vitamin A deficiency. If don't have enough vitamin A in diet, they're more likely to have more-severe symptoms and complications.

Complication

Complications of measles may include:

1. Ear infection: One of the most common complications of measles is a bacterial ear infection.
2. Bronchitis, laryngitis, or croup: Measles may lead to inflammation of the voice box (larynx) or inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways of the lungs (bronchial tubes).
3. Pneumonia: Pneumonia is a common complication of measles. People with compromised immune systems can develop an especially dangerous variety of pneumonia that is sometimes fatal.
4. Encephalitis: About 1 in 1,000 people with measles develops a complication called encephalitis. Encephalitis may occur right after measles, or it might not occur until months later.
5. Pregnancy problems: If a patient is pregnant, special care is needed to avoid measles because the disease can cause preterm labor, low birth weight, and maternal death.

Prevention

Complications of measles may include:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children and adults receive the measles vaccine to prevent measles.
• Measles vaccine in children
• To prevent measles in children, doctors usually give infants the first dose of the vaccine between 12 and 15 months, with the second dose typically given between ages 4 and 6 years. Keep in mind
• If they'll be traveling abroad when their child is 6 to 11 months old, talk with their child's doctor about getting the measles vaccine earlier.
• If their child or teenager didn't get the two doses at the recommended times, he or she may need two doses of the vaccine four weeks apart.

Diagnosis

Complications of measles may include:

• Doctors can usually diagnose measles based on the disease's characteristic rash as well as a small, bluish-white spot on a bright red background — Koplik's spot — on the inside lining of the cheek.
• However, many doctors have never seen measles, and the rash can be confused with a number of other illnesses. If necessary, a blood test can confirm whether the rash is truly measles. The measles virus can also be confirmed with a test that generally uses a throat swab or urine sample.
• Doctors can confirm measles by examining your skin rash and checking for symptoms that are characteristic of the disease, such as white spots in the mouth, fever, cough, and sore throat.
• If they suspect you may have measles based on history and observation, the doctor will order a blood test to check for the measles virus.

Homoeopathy and Measles

Homoeopathic medicines to cure measles

1. Aconitum napellus:
   • Sudden high fever with hot dry skin, pain in the eyes, strong thirst, and a fearful or panicky feeling are indications for this remedy.
   • Symptoms often start near midnight and may wake the person up.
2. Bryonia:
   • This remedy can be indicated when the rash is slow to appear, and the chest is congested with a painful cough.
   • The person's head hurts when coughing, and everything feels worse from motion, making the person want to stay completely still.
   • Chills and shivering often come with fever, but warmth can make things worse.
   • The person's mouth may be very dry, with a thirst for long cold drinks.
3. Euphrasia:
   • When this remedy is indicated during measles, the eyes are swollen, streaming, and very sensitive to light.
   • The tears can irritate the face, and the person's nose may run with a bland and watery discharge.
   • Headache may intensify with fever.
   • The person has chills, feels worse from warmth, and prefers to stay in a darkened room.
4. Pulsatilla:
   • This remedy is often indicated when the rash is slow to develop and the symptoms of a cold are prominent.
   • A stuffy nose producing yellowish mucus, a gagging cough (most often dry at night and loose in the morning), and plugging or inflammation in the ears are common.
   • The person does not feel very thirsty, is worse from warmth and stuffy rooms, and improves in open air.
   • People who need this remedy often want a lot of comforting and attention. (Pulsatilla is a very useful children's remedy.)
5. Belladonna:
   • Fever that comes on rapidly, with a red flushed face, hot skin, dilated eyes that are sensitive to light, and a throbbing headache that is worse from jarring are all indications for this remedy.
   • The rash is red and may be hot to touch.
   • Many children needing Belladonna have nightmares during fever and talk or cry out when apparently asleep.
6. Gelsemium:
   • A drowsy, lethargic feeling with fever, droopy eyes, and shaking chills running up and down the spine are strong indications for this remedy.
   • The rash is itchy, hot, and dry.
   • A headache that begins in the back of the head and neck is often seen when Gelsemium is needed.
7. Kali bichromicum:
   • When this remedy is indicated in measles, cold symptoms worsen over time.
   • Hoarseness, coughing up stringy yellow mucus, earache, and sticky eyes may be seen.
   • Symptoms can be worse in the morning, and the person feels best from staying in bed and keeping warm.
8. Rhus toxicodendron:
   • An extremely itchy rash that feels better from applying heat may indicate a need for this remedy.
   • The person is very restless and may feel driven to get up and pace.
   • Stiffness may be felt in all the muscles of the body, worse at night, from lying still in bed, and on waking in the morning.
   • The person may have chills along with fever, and all symptoms are improved by warmth and motion.
9. Apis mellifica:
   • Rash begins to develop but fails to develop completely and disappears soon, leaving the child unwell.
   • Itching is worse by warmth; face and eyes are puffy.
   • This is one of the important remedies in homeopathic treatment for measles.
10. Antimonium crudum:
    • Illnesses are accompanied by a tickling cough and nausea.
    • Children are sulky and extremely irritable; they do not want to be touched or examined, or even looked at.
    • They have cracks at the corners of their mouth and/or nostrils.
    • The tongue may be white—as if it has been painted.
    • Child is drowsy, thirstless, and worse in a hot room.
11. Apis mellifica:
    • The rashes are slow to come out; when they do, they itch and sting.
    • Face and eyelids are puffy and red.
    • Children are extremely restless, anxious, clingy, and cry out in their sleep.
    • They are generally thirstless and cannot bear the heat or pressure of any sort—they do not want to be touched.
    • They have a high fever with scanty urine and feel better for cold and cool bathing.
    • Urine is hot, and there is burning during urination.
12. Arsenicum album:
    • This remedy suits restless, anxious, chilly children who want to be covered.
    • They are terribly weak but still cannot remain in one place. Restlessness.
    • Wants hot drinks and sips them at a time.