Measles in Children: 11 Easy-to-Recognise Symptoms

Introduction

Measles is a contagious disease that can affect children, causing varied and sometimes severe symptoms. Although there is an effective vaccine that prevents the disease, measles still occurs in isolated cases or in limited outbreaks. It is essential for parents to be able to recognize the symptoms of measles so that they can act quickly and prevent complications. In this article we will present you 11 easily recognizable symptoms of measles in children and important information related to the development of the disease.

Development of Measles Symptoms

Before discussing the symptoms, it is important to understand how measles develops. This viral disease has an incubation period of about 10-12 days before symptoms are visible. Once the virus begins to act, the first signs can easily be confused with a common cold.

Identifying Measles: The First Symptoms

1. High Fever: One of the first signs of measles is the appearance of a fever that can reach high values, up to 40 degrees Celsius. Fever can last for several days and is often accompanied by other symptoms.

2. Persistent Cough: Dry and persistent cough is another common symptom of measles. This can be disturbing for the child and can last throughout the illness.

3. Nasal Congestion and Rhinitis: A stuffy nose and nasal discharge are often present when a child develops measles. These symptoms can make breathing difficult and cause discomfort.

4. Watery Eyes and Light Sensitivity: Conjunctivitis is a common sign of measles, and the eyes become red, irritated and very sensitive to light.

Symptoms Specific to Measles

After the appearance of the first symptoms, more specific measles signals follow that help to correctly diagnose the disease.

1. Koplik spots: These small white dots that appear inside the mouth are characteristic of measles. They usually precede the specific rash and can be noticed by a doctor.

2. Rash: Measles produces a characteristic rash that usually starts on the face and spreads over the whole body. The spots may be red and slightly raised, causing itching.

Evolution of the Disease and Possible Complications

It is important to know that the symptoms of measles can vary from person to person and can lead to complications, some even serious.

1. Diarrhea: Although less common, some children may experience diarrhea during measles, which can lead to dehydration.

2. Ear infections: Some children may develop middle ear infections as a complication of measles, which require medical treatment.

3. Pneumonia: Measles can lead to inflammation of the lungs, which is a serious complication and one of the leading causes of death associated with the disease.

4. Encephalitis: Although rare, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) is a serious complication of measles that can occur after illness and cause brain damage or even death.

Prevention and Treatment of Measles

1. Vaccination: The most effective way to prevent measles is vaccination. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is safe and recommended for all children.

Symptomatic treatment: For measles symptoms, treatment is usually symptomatic, involving fever reduction with antipyretic drugs, adequate hydration, and rest.

Conclusion

Early recognition of measles symptoms is vital to limiting the spread of the disease and preventing potential complications. It is essential to contact your pediatrician if you suspect your child may have measles. Also, vaccination remains the best method of protection against this dangerous disease. For more information on measles prevention and treatment, feel free to visit our health section in store or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and helpful tips.