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Showing posts with label Measles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Measles. Show all posts
symptoms of measles
Measles symptoms invariably include fever, together with at least one of the three C's (cough, coryza, conjunctivitis).
Symptoms will appear about 9-11 days after infection, and may include the following:
- Coryza - runny nose.
- Dry hacking cough.
- Conjunctivitis - swollen eyelids, inflamed eyes.
- Watery eyes.
- Photophobia - sensitivity to light.
- Sneezing.
- Fever - this may be mild to severe and can reach 105F (40.6C) for a number of days. Fever may drop, and then rise again when the rash appears.
- Koplik's spots - very small grayish-white spots with bluish-white centers in the mouth, insides of cheeks, and throat.
- Aches generally all over the body.
Rash - 3 to 4 days after initial symptoms a reddish-brown spotty rash appears. The rash can last for over a week. It usually starts behind the ears and spreads all over the head and neck. After a couple of days it spreads to the rest of the body, including the legs. As the little spots grow many of them will join together.
Although the majority of childhood rashes are not measles, you should take your child to the doctor if:
You suspect it could be measles.
- Symptoms do not improve, or get worse.
- The fever rises to above 38C (100F).
- When the symptoms have gone, but the fever hasn't.
The measles rash typically has a red or reddish brown blotchy appearance, and first usually shows up on the forehead, then spreads downward over the face, neck, and body, then down to the arms and feet..
What causes measles
Measles is caused by infection with the rubeola virus, a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. The virus lives in the mucus of the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. The infected person is contagious for four days before the rash appears, and continues so for about four to five days afterwards.
You can become infected through:
Physical contact with an infected person.
Being nearby infected people if they cough or sneeze.
Touching a surface that has infected droplets of mucus (the virus remains active for two hours) and then putting your fingers into your mouth, rubbing your nose or eyes.
Measles Treatment
Although there is no cure for measles, there are steps that can make the disease more tolerable. These include the following.
Get plenty of rest.
Sponge baths with lukewarm water may reduce discomfort due to fever.
Drink plenty of fluids to help avoid dehydration.
A humidifier or vaporizer may ease the cough.
Pain relievers and fever reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Liquiprin Drops, and other brands) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brands) can help with symptoms when used according to directions. Remember never to give aspirin to children or teenagers because it may cause a disease known as Reye syndrome.
Treatment Plan
Rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and treatment to relieve symptoms are adequate if there are no complications.
Drug Therapies
The following medications may be used to manage measles:
Acetaminophen for high fevers. Children under 16 should not be given aspirin because of the danger of developing Reye syndrome.
Antibiotics for bacterial complications, such as pneumonia and ear infection
Immune gamma globulin followed by measles vaccination 5 - 6 months later..
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Nutrition and Supplements
Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:
- Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
- Use healthy oils in cooking, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, and donuts. Also avoid French fries, onion rings, processed foods, and margarine.
- Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
You may address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:
- A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-vitamins and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
- Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 - 2 tablespoonfuls oil 1 - 2 times daily, to help decrease inflammation and improve immunity. Omega-3 fatty acids can have a blood thinning effect and may increase the effect of blood thinning medications, such as Coumadin (warfarin) and aspirin.
- Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. Some probiotic supplements may need refrigeration. Check the label carefully.
- Resveratrol (from red wine), 50 - 200 mg daily, for antioxidant and immune effects.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine, 500 mg daily, for antioxiant and antiviral activity.
Is Measles Contagious?
Measles is highly contagious — 90% of people who haven't been vaccinated for measles will get it if they live in the same household as an infected person. Measles is spread when someone comes in direct contact with infected droplets or when someone with measles sneezes or coughs and spreads virus droplets through the air. A person with measles is contagious from 1 to 2 days before symptoms start until about 4 days after the rash appears.
Measles is very rare in the United States. Due to widespread immunizations, the number of U.S. measles cases has declined in the last 50 years. Before measles vaccination became available in the 1960s, more than 500,000 cases of measles were reported every year. From 2000 to 2007, just an average of 63 cases per year was reported.
However, in 2008 the United States saw an increase in measles cases and outbreaks (more than three or more linked cases), with 131 cases reported between January and July. More than 90% of those infected were not immunized or immunization status was unknown.
The most important thing you can do to protect kids from measles is to have them vaccinated according to the schedule prescribed by your doctor
What is Measles Herbs Treatment
Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted. The herbs listed below are to help support immunity while providing antibacterial and antiviral support..
- Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg daily, for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune effects. Use caffeine free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.
- Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), 150 - 300 mg 2 - 3 times daily, for antiviral and immune activity. You may also take a tincture of this mushroom extract, 30 - 60 drops 2 - 3 times a day. High doses of Reishi can have a blood thinning effect and may increase the effect of blood thinning medications, such as Coumadin (warfarin) and aspirin.
- Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) standardized extract, 20 mg 3 times a day, for inflammation and antiviral activity. Cat's claw can interfere with a variety of medications; speak with your doctor. Cat's claw can have deleterious effects in patients with Leukemia and autoimmune disease.
- Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) standardized extract, 150 - 300 mg 1 - 3 times daily, for immune support. Rhodiola is an "adaptogen" and helps the body adapt to various stresses.
- Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus amarus) standardized extract, 200 mg 2 - 4 times daily for antiviral effects. Phyllanthus can interact with lithium.
To reduce itching from the rash, use witch hazel (Hamamelis virginia) topically or add oatmeal to a bath.
Homeopathy
Few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. A professional homeopath, however, may recommend one or more of the following treatments for measles based on his or her knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.
- Aconitum -- for symptoms that come on suddenly including fever, conjunctivitis, dry cough, and restlessness. It is best used very early in the course of the disease.
- Apis mellifica -- for individuals with swollen lips and eyes and a rash that is not fully developed. Warmth increases itchiness as well as swelling.
- Belladonna -- can be used either during early stages of measles or after the rash has erupted. It is useful for those who have difficulty sleeping and symptoms that include fever, headache, and drowsiness.
- Bryonia -- for individuals with a delayed rash who have a dry, painful cough, headaches, and muscle pain that worsens with movement and warmth. This remedy is most appropriate for people with a rash primarily on the chest, a dry mouth, and a desire for cold drinks.
- Euphrasia -- for nasal discharge, red eyes, and tears associated with measles. This remedy is most appropriate for people who have a strong sensitivity to light.
- Gelsemium -- for the early stages of measles when there is a slow onset of fever and chilliness, cough, headache, weakness, and a watery nasal discharge that burns the upper lip. This remedy is most appropriate for people who are apathetic and have little or no thirst.
- Pulsatilla -- can be used at any stage of the measles but often used after fever has resolved. This remedy is most appropriate for people who may have thick, yellow nasal discharge, a dry cough at night, a productive cough in the daytime, and mild ear pain. Symptoms are frequently mild.
- Sulphur -- for measles in which the skin has a purplish appearance. The individual for whom this remedy is appropriate may have red mucus membranes with a cough and diarrhea that is worse in the mornings..
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