Measles
Measles is a viral disease most commonly affecting school age children, although adults contact the ease as well.
There are two main varieties: German measles and common measles.
There is an immunization but if there are existing conditions, they may be complications.
German measles (rubella) is caused by a virus and has a rapid recovery period, but the disease must run its course and there is little that can be done medically for its treatment, German measles is a mild illness, alarming only to pregnant women.
If a woman contracts German measles during the early months of pregnancy the newborn can suffer from such malformations as heart defect, deafness, mental retardation, and blindness.
Symptoms of German measles may include fever headache and stiff joints (mainly in the neck), although most people seldom complain of any symptoms.
A rash that lasts for about three days appears on the arms, chest and forehead.
Lotion may be applied to the rash to relieve itching, and the patient should stay away from other people to avoid spreading the disease.
Common measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious disease spread by droplets from the nose throat and mouth.
The first symptoms of common measles are a fever that lasts for a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose and inflammation of the eyes.
Stomach pains, diarrhea, and vomiting may also occur. Within twenty forty-eight hours, small red spots with white centers appear in the inside of the cheeks.
A rash which is first seen on the face and upper neck and then spreads down the back and trunk and then to the limbs, usually appears three to five days after the onset of the first symptoms.
As the rash spreads fever goes down. After about five days, the rash fades in the same order it appeared. Common measles may have been serious complications, such as ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis and injury to the nervous system.
Measles
