Measles is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus. When a baby shows signs of measles, parents should quickly take the child to the hospital to be able to promptly examine and treat. Signs of a child with measles are usually: high fever, respiratory tract inflammation, gastrointestinal tract and eye conjunctiva with characteristic rash ...
What is measles?
Measles is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus . The disease spreads from person to person through the respiratory tract. Virus disease of the Paramyxoviridae family, spherical, 120 - 250nm in diameter, has a weak tolerance, is easily destroyed with conventional disinfectants or sunlight, heat ... has a temperature of about 56 degrees C .
Why is measles rapid and severe?
The disease is transmitted through the respiratory tract, due to the nasopharyngeal secretions of the infected person through the air released when the sick person coughs or sneezes, talks ... The disease is easily spread in crowded areas such as kindergartens, schools. , a densely populated area ... That is why the disease is susceptible to epidemic diseases. The disease usually occurs in the winter-spring and mostly occurs in children under 5 years old.
Measles is common in young children, people with poor immunity, easily leading to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, otitis media, diarrhea ... which can cause death.
Signs of a child having measles
Children infected with measles have an incubation period of 7- 21 days, after which they may fully have the following symptoms:
High fever > 39 ° C.
Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, runny nose, prolonged dry cough, hoarseness, with Koplik particles in the mouth
Tears, nose, cough, conjunctivitis, rusty eyes, swelling of the eyelids.
The rash grows in the order of starting day 1 from the head, face, neck, on the 2nd day of the back of the arm, on the 3rd day of the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, legs, when the rash grows to the legs, the fever stops and initially begins to fly.
When to bring children to hospital immediately?
It is necessary to bring the child to the nearest medical facility when having the following signs:
Children with high fever continuously, ≥ 39 ° C- 40 ° C.
Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing.
Tired, not eating, not playing, lethargy ...
Systemic rash and still fever.
How to take care of and monitor a child with measles at home?
For measles, if the care and isolation are qualified, care and home treatment for the child can be provided.
Isolate sick children from healthy children.
Give fever-reducing medicine to children when fever is ≥ 38.5 ° C as directed by your doctor.
Caregivers should wear a mask and wash their hands before and after each contact with an infected child.
Body hygiene as daily bath, avoid cold. Change clothes, clean the surrounding environment, keep the room clean and airy.
Cut your nails to avoid scratching the skin.
Eye drops with 0.9% salt water 3 times a day.
Avoid the concept of abstaining from bathing and wind, which will make the disease worse.
Children who are still breastfed will continue to breastfeed and combine a reasonable complementary diet (if the child is ≥ 6 months).
How to prepare food: soft, easy to digest, well cooked and should be divided into several meals when eaten. It is best to process according to the patient's taste.
Note when caring for a child with measles at home:
Do not abstain in the diet, to promptly compensate for nutrients lost due to the infection process.
Do not use spices that cause indigestion. In the case of complications of diarrhea or pneumonia, oral zinc supplementation is required.
Older children ensure to eat adequate nutrients, drink plenty of water, and fruit juices contain Vitamin A.
Vitamin A supplements for children treating measles
To prevent this vitamin deficiency, to help protect the eyes, parents should note vitamin A supplements for children as follows:
Children under 6 months: take 50,000 units / day for 2 consecutive days.
Children from 6 to 12 months: take 100,000 units / day for 2 consecutive days.
Children over 12 months old and adults: 200.000 units / day x 2 consecutive days.
* In the case of Vitamin A deficiency, repeat after 4-6 weeks.
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