Measles is a viral infection that mainly affects children during the first year of life. However, the disease can also occur in children over 1 year old or in adults who have not been vaccinated against measles.
The initial signs of measles are similar to the flu or cold and appear up to 14 days after being with someone infected, however, after about 3 days it is common for typical measles spots to appear that do not itch and spread throughout the body.
If you think you or someone else may have measles, get tested for symptoms that have come up:
- 1. Fever above 38ยบ C Yes No
- 2. Sore throat and dry cough Yes No
- 3. Muscle pain and excessive tiredness Yes No
- 4. Red spots on the skin, without relief, which spread throughout the body Yes No
- 5. Red spots on the skin that do not itch Yes No
- 6. White spots inside the mouth, each surrounded by a red ring Yes No
- 7. Conjunctivitis or Redness in the eyes Yes No
Measles Photos
Measles is caused by a virus and is transmitted from person to person through droplets of saliva from the infected person. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease.
How to check for measles
If measles is suspected, it is very important to avoid passing the disease on to others, as the virus is easily transmitted by coughing or sneezing, so it is advisable to use a clean mask or cloth to protect your mouth.
In addition, a pediatrician should be consulted, in the case of children, or a general practitioner to confirm the diagnosis, as measles symptoms are also very similar to those of rubella, chickenpox, roseola and even an allergy to medications.
Meet 7 other diseases that can cause red spots on the skin.
How the treatment is done
Measles treatment consists of relieving symptoms through rest, hydration and medications like Paracetamol, for about 10 days, which is the duration of the disease. This disease is more common in children and its treatment is done in order to control unpleasant symptoms such as fever, general malaise, lack of appetite and reddish spots on the skin that can progress to small wounds (ulcerations).
Learn more about measles in the following video:
