Measles, a notion that has its etymological origin in the Latin word sirimpÄo , is a disease characterized by the appearance of spots on the skin. Contagious in nature, this condition causes coughing, sneezing, fever and red eyes.
Measles causes the development of a rash (a rash that comes on suddenly). That is why this disease shares certain characteristics with chickenpox and rubella, for example.
The cause of measles is a virus, which usually enters the body through the respiratory tract. The person incubates the disease without symptoms for a period that can extend between four and twelve days. Once symptoms are present and the rash develops, the individual can spread measles for up to five days later.
To diagnose measles, doctors usually take into account the appearance of these symptoms together with the persistence of fever for three or more days. If the person has so-called Koplik's spots, on the other hand, the disease can also be diagnosed. Another option is to appeal to a laboratory analysis.
The appearance of the skin rash, the most visible sign of measles, occurs approximately between the third and fifth day after the first symptoms, and the spots can last up to a week. Although this is not always the case, it is normal for the rash to start on the head and then work its way down the entire body. In some people, it appears as a discoloration in flat areas (called macules), while in others, the spots are in small red bumps (papules).
The pruritus is another typical symptoms of this disease, and photophobia (abnormal sensitivity to light), pain in muscles, rhinorrhea (excessive emission of liquid through the nostrils, generally due to an increase in mucus discharge) and sore throat. In summary, it is a low-severity disorder that causes great discomfort, especially if it appears during hot weather, as rest becomes more difficult.
It is important to highlight the effectiveness of the measles vaccine, since it is the most effective method to prevent its appearance; in fact, not receiving it puts a person at very high risk of contracting it. On the other hand, the consumption of immunoglobulin within a period not exceeding six days after being exposed to the virus is also effective to reduce the risk of infection, or so that its effect is not so severe.
Measles generally does not carry major health complications and is usually cured with rest. Certain products also help, such as Paracetamol, and practices such as sprays, all with the simple objective of making the symptoms more tolerable. In some cases, especially in adults, it can be complicated by the development of encephalitis or pneumonia.
In the presence of the aforementioned symptoms, it is recommended to visit the doctor to know exactly how to proceed, especially if the patients are children, since they may require a vitamin A boost very urgently. The most common tests and examinations to evaluate a possible case of measles include viral culture and serology (a blood sample is studied to detect the presence of antibodies in the body).