What is measles?
Measles is an infection caused by a virus. It occurs most often in the late winter and spring. When someone with the virus coughs or sneezes, contaminated droplets spread through the air and land on nearby surfaces. Your child can catch the virus by inhaling these droplets or by touching them and then touching his face, mouth, eyes, or ears.
Signs and symptoms of measles
Symptoms of measles usually begin with a fever that lasts for a couple of days. A cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis often follow the fever. Conjunctivitis is an infection of the eye, sometimes called “pink eye.” A rash starts on the face and upper neck and spreads down the body. The rash then spreads to the arms, hands, legs, and feet. After about five days, the rash fades in the same order it appeared.
Not all cases of this condition look the same and many conditions can look similar. For information about your child’s illness, please speak to your child’s doctor.
Measles spreads easily to other children
Measles is a very contagious disease. This means that it spreads very easily from one person to another. People with measles are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards. Children with immune system problems often stay contagious much longer. The measles virus lives in the mucus in the nose and throat of infected people. When they sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air. The droplets land on surfaces nearby, where they can spread the virus for up to two hours.
Risk factors
Your child is more likely to develop measles if:
-
your child does not have the measles vaccination
-
your child travels to other countries without being vaccinated
-
your child has vitamin A deficiency
Complications
Complications are dangerous. Some children with a measles infection will also get an ear infection, diarrhea, or even pneumonia. Rarely, some children who have measles also get a swelling of the brain called encephalitis. Severe cases of encephalitis can lead to brain damage or death. Death is very rare. Most children who catch measles have not been vaccinated, or come from countries outside of Canada.
What doctors can do for measles
Measles is diagnosed by a physical examination of your child. The doctor may also order a blood test or viral swabs from the nose or throat. If you think your child has measles, it is important to speak to your doctor before going to see them so the infection is not passed on to others.
Taking care of your child at home
There is no specific treatment for measles. You can support your child by trying to make him comfortable.
Monitor the fever
Acetaminophen (Tylenol or Tempra) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can be used to treat the fever. DO NOT give your child ASA (acetylsalicylic acid or Aspirin).
Bed rest and isolate your child
Your child cannot go to school or day care until 8 days after the rash started. The Public Health Department will be notified about your child’s measles diagnosis and will follow up with you.
Fluids
Offer your child water and other fluids often.
When to get medical assistance
Call your child’s regular doctor if:
-
your child’s fever does not subside 4 days after the rash started
-
your child’s coughing gets worse
-
your child develops ear pain
Take your child to the nearest Emergency Department, or call 911 if necessary, if:
-
your child becomes short of breath or develops persistently noisy breathing
-
your child shows a change in behaviour or physical abilities, movement problems, or a seizure
-
your child develops a severe headache or persistent vomiting
-
your child appears to be quite unwell
Preventing measles
Measles vaccine is available for free in many countries. Children receive two needles or “shots” of measles vaccine. The first is usually given after your child's first birthday. The second is usually given before your child starts school.
Measles is included in the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Ask your doctor about the MMR vaccine if you or your child are not immune.
Your child should be immunized with 2 doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. There are 2 possible schedules:
In most cases, immunization protects your child against measles. It minimizes the amount of measles exposure in the community. Immunization also prevents complications of measles, such as severe pneumonia, lung infections, and encephalitis.
For more information about when vaccines should be given, see "Immunization Schedule."
Some children develop a rash from the vaccine
When given the measles vaccine shot, some children develop mild symptoms of the disease. This is normal. If this happens, usually a pink rash appears about 7 to 10 days after the shot. The rash lasts for about three days. The child may also develop a mild fever and minor joint pain during this time. If you are concerned in any way, call your family doctor.
Vaccination is important
Vaccination has helped to reduce measles to very low levels in the developed world. However, measles is still very common in other parts of the world. Visitors from the developing world and western travelers returning from other countries can unknowingly bring this disease into the country.
For this reason, you, your child, and the rest of your family should be vaccinated against the measles. If people were not protected by vaccinations, it could quickly spread. \
If your child has measles in hospital
Your child will be placed in a single room to prevent measles from spreading to others. Your child will not be able to visit the playroom until her measles rash is gone. The isolation may take at least 4 days after measles started. If your child has an immune system problem, she may need to stay in her room until all of the symptoms have gone.
Ask the Child Life Specialist to bring toys and supplies to your room. People who have not had measles before or have not had their measles vaccine should not come to visit your child. If you or anyone else who has visited becomes ill with symptoms of measles, let your child’s doctor or nurse know right away.
Measles is rare in the developed world
Measles is not very common in countries like Canada due to high rates of vaccination. However, around the world, an estimated 43 million people are infected with measles each year. More than one million people die from measles each year.
Key points
-
Measles is an infection caused by a virus with no specific treatment.
-
Usually, measles causes fever, coughing, conjunctivitis, and a rash.
-
Precautions should be taken so others are not infected with measles. Since measles is very contagious, your child must be isolated.
-
Only in very rare cases is hospitalization needed to treat measles.
-
Measles can be prevented with immunization.
-
DO NOT give your child ASA (acetylsalicylic acid or Aspirin).