Disease measles symptoms in adults and children, treatment and pictures

Measles is a viral disease characterized by severe infectious form, and a high level of sensitivity, which can reach 100% of the time. Measles always takes place in conditions of high body temperature. There is an inflammatory process in the mucous membranes of the mouth, General intoxication amazed by the measles organism and a skin rash.

Causes measles

The cause of measles is RNA virus of the genus morbillivirus, which has a spherical shape and size up to 230 nm. Known strains of the virus belong to the same serovar, and the structure of the antigen is similar to the structure of the virus of mumps.

The measles virus is not able to survive outside the human body and dies in a short time. And to destroy it may as exposure and simple boiling and treatment with chemical disinfectants. Measles survives at temperatures up to 25 degrees for 24-36 hours, and at low temperatures the lifespan of the measles virus is a few weeks.

Despite such a low resistance Cory to stay in the external environment, the known practical cases of the epidemic through the transmission of the virus in the ventilation system in the cold season in a separate building.

Pathogenesis

Measles is transmitted by droplets, released into the environment as a result of the coughing of the media. The source of the spread of measles is considered an infected patient to a 4-day rash on the skin. Starting from the 5th day measles ceases to be contagious or transmitted to another person.

Measles most commonly affects children under the age of 5 years. Much more rarely, the measles virus can infect an adult, and even then, only in the case that the disease was not passed in childhood. A newborn child is immune to measles, which is transmitted from the mother, but only if she's already had the measles virus. The immune system protects the baby for the first three months of life.

After suffering a virus, recurrence is virtually 100% eliminated, but there are cases when measles may again affect the body on the background of immune pathology, for example, Almost immediately after the infection begins the release of copious mucus, sometimes with pus. Can begin dry cough and change of voice on the background of the cough. Along with the breathing problems marked the beginning of conjunctivitis and edema of eyelids. Develops sensitivity to light.

For 3-5 day health media Cory is beginning to improve, the manifestations of fever are reduced. However, this simple respite in the catarrhal period, all signs of intoxicationback in the day, and the temperature again raised to 40°C. in this period it is possible to detect a characteristic symptom of measles — spots Filatov-Koplik-Belsky, which are located in the mucosa of the cheeks (see photo). The spots are highlighted with white color, they protrude slightly above the surface of the oral mucosa.

After the catarrhal stage of the disease in adults there comes a time rash. On the skin are formed papular exanthema that demonstrate a commitment to continuous merger. Time you can define the following symptoms:

• At first the rash appears on the skin of the scalp and behind the ears. Then, during the day, goes on the face, chest, back;
• On the second day the rash covers the upper arms and torso;
• On the third day, a rash appears on the legs.

That is top-down in nature lesions is one of the most important symptoms of measles. Rash in an adult is always more abundant and extensive than the child. It is important to note that during the spread of the rash, catarrhal period symptoms are also aggravated.

The next period pigmentation. This period is characterized by General improvement of the condition of the infected start to decline the manifestations of catarrhal period, is reduced body temperature. The same thing happens with the rash, which gradually loses its color, turns pale and disappears, in descending order, from head to feet.

The pigmentation completely disappears within 5-7 days, after which the skin is slight peeling, the most characteristic of the skin on the face.

It should be noted that measles is manifest in atypical symptoms — the so-called motivirovannoe measles, and it is noted here the virus a long incubation period.

Symptoms in children

Unlike an adult, children the main symptoms of measles are not so dramatically and abundantly, but they are typical in any age, is:

• Rash all over the body;
• Sharp rise in body temperature to 39 degrees;
• The child begins to cough, to sneeze, and all accompanied by mucus and pus;
• Children driving the toes;
• Chair becomes liquid, and stomach aches.

The rash appears in the same sequence as that of the adult patient from head to feet, and in the same direction disappears after a while.

However, not all cases of measles in a child typically occur, sometimes the virus can last for a long time, and attach the side diseases, such as laryngitis or pneumonia, which latercomplicates treatment. Usually with measles you can cope at home, and hospitalization for inpatient treatment only require patients with serious complication of the disease.

Treatment of measles in adults and children

As a rule, treatment of measles is always symptomatic, but may require therapy with antibiotics, in the case that measles is a complication of bacterial infection. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe a course of treatment with corticosteroids.

Measles can be easily overcome by treating at home, this is recommended bed rest, which depends on the severity of the disease. Recommended anti-inflammatory aerosols, for example coughing. To bring down the temperature, chills, pain and fever should be used the usual ibuprofen or paracetamol (for children under 16 when measles contraindicated aspirin). A manifestation of intoxication requires a large consumption of fluid. The mouth and eyes are treated with mouthwash — decoction of chamomile, or a solution of chlorhexidine. Can be assigned antihistamines. In many cases, effective antiviral Ribavirin. The world Health Organization recommends the treatment of measles to take vitamin a As acetate or palmitate.

Prevention in children

The primary step in the prevention of measles, advocates of mandatory vaccination of children aged from 1 year to 6 years.

The vaccine is produced from vaccine strain L-16 several types.

This method of vaccination is used for children who are not sick with measles after year. Vaccination is necessary in the case that for various reasons is not formed to a 6-year-old age, normal and full immunity. In 95% of cases, good immunity in children is a major protective mechanism against the measles virus. Monitoring of the immune status is carried out every few years and is based on a selective analysis of blood which shows the ability of immune system to beat measles in children.