Measles, Infectious Childrens Ailments

Children’s ailments can cause parents a lot of worry; measles especially as it can also have side effects, extremely nasty ones. Measles is also know as rubella and it is caused by a virus which is highly contagious, it is very likely that anyone who comes into contact with the infected child or person will invariable fall victim unless they have already had the infection and are immune.

The first symptoms of measles may not be immediately recognizable, the child may seem generally unwell and irritable for five or six days before the rash makes its appearance. He or she will lie about with no energy and they will often cry at the slightest upset.

A nasty rash will appear, this is when you finally realize the cause of your child’s recent lack of energy and irritability.

The rash can produce swelling which affects the eyes and causes them to close, this is why many people believe the patient should be kept in a slightly darkened room to save strain on the eyes.

The patients cough is the main cause of the disease spreading; it is an airborne virus and it can affect everyone in the home.

The infectious period of measles is from the appearance of the rash and up to four or five days afterwards.

The rash may cause irritation and a lotion like camomile (or chamomile) can ease this. Your child can look extremely ill and it is a worrying time for any parent. It is advisable to allow your child to be immunized against measles this is called MMR vaccine and is given at around eighteen months of age.

This is just a section about me. Although as a child I was in close contact with my brothers and sisters who each had every childish ailment at various times also with my own children, I never contracted any of the ailments myself.