Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases. It can occur at any age, but usually affects children aged one to three. Once you have had measles you should have lifelong immunity.
An infant whose mother has had measles is immune for the first year of life, after which time they are susceptible. Although children are more likely to catch measles, adults can too.
The first tell-tale signs of measles are called Koplik’s spots. These are easily overlooked, being sneakily located inside the gums opposite the first and second upper molars and look like tiny grains of white sand surrounded by a red circle. A much more obvious sign is the body rash.
The red lumpy blotchy rash of measles begins behind the ears and rapidly spreads over the body. By the time the rash appears, symptoms similar to influenza are often present, including a barking cough, red and sore conjunctiva, tiredness, irritability, aching in the back and limbs, a sensitivity to light, shivering, thirst and fever. Measles are most contagious a day or two before the rash appears. The child with measles has a higher risk of ear infections and pneumonia. For this reason it is important for the child to rest as much as possible and take measures to boost the immune system.
The immunisation debate rages, however one reason parents immunise their children is to prevent the remote risk of encephalitis and SSPE (sub acute sclerosing pan encephalitis) which are conditions that result in brain damage.
