Measles - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition:

It is an acute, contagious viral disease, usually occurring in childhood and characterized by eruption of red spots on the skin, fever, and catarrhal symptoms.

Measles , also known as rubeola, is a potentially disastrous disease. It can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia , encephalitis.

The virus is spread easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by direct contact with infected nose or throat secretions.

It is a highly infectious viral disease characterized by a sore throat and a blotchy red rash that starts on the face and neck, and spreads to the rest of the body.Measles is also known as, five-day measles, or hard measles. A person who has had measles will never get the disease again.

Causes for measles:

Measles is caused by the measles virus i.e- Paramyxovirus. It is mostly seen in the winter and spring. The virus enters the body through the respiratory tract or the conjunctiva. Measles is endemic throughout the world.

Other main causes of measles includes:

• Personal contact is the main cause of measles because it is a contagious disease.
• Droplets from coughs and sneezes
• Immunodeficiency due to HIV/AIDS
• Malnutrition
• Vitamin A deficiency will lead to the condition of measles.

Symptoms of measles:

The symptoms of measles usually begin to develop about 7-11 days after the person first becomes infected.

List of symptoms of Measles:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Red eyes
• Red spots in mouth
• Red spots inside cheeks
• Koplik spots - small spots in the mouth
• Mouth spots with white center and red ring
• Skin rash
• Light sensitivity
• coughing , possibly with a barking cough.
• sore throat - the lymph nodes in the throat may swell.
• at first the spots are very small - a couple of millimetres - but they double in size quickly and begin to join together.
• the temperature, which may run as high as 40ºC, may stay that high for a couple of days. Then it disappears together with the rash, which may leave some brown spots.

Home remedies for measles:

Here are some important home remedies for the measles:

Garlic oil: Apply garlic oil to any infected areas to prevent infection.

Drink saffron: Drink saffron and snake root tea to aid the healing process.

Lobelia: Take lobelia and yarrow for the fastest recovery from measles.

Orange juice: Fresh Orange juice is very beneficial for the measles treatment.

Barley water: Barley water should be taken daily to cure from measles.

Lemonade: Lemonade should be taken often.

Herbal Treatment for Measles:

Chamomile: It will not only helps reduce a fever but stimulates the immune system too. hild hydrated with fluids and give a soothing oatmeal baths to relieve itching.

Ginger Tea : It can be effective against a fever. It is most helpful for the child who tends to feel cold, especially in the hands and feet.

Shiitake Mushrooms: It has immure-stimulating properties. They may be eaten fresh, or taken in capsule form.