{"id":1257,"date":"2018-04-20T08:32:10","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T08:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=1257"},"modified":"2021-10-11T01:55:27","modified_gmt":"2021-10-11T01:55:27","slug":"8-typical-measles-symptoms-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/8-typical-measles-symptoms-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Typical Measles Symptoms in Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Measles is a medical condition called Rubeola. This condition is very contagious. In fact, measles are responsible for the deaths of around 200 million individuals. It is caused by the rubella virus and is a highly endemic illness. This means that the virus may lie dormant among communities that may be resistant to the disease. If the rubeola virus enters a community that has not been exposed to it before, the consequences can become quite destructive and even deadly.<\/p>\n

The virus breeds in the mucus that lines the nose and the throat of the individuals who are infected. A person who has the virus can spread the disease for up to four days before any symptoms are present. They can also spread the disease for up to five days after they begin having symptoms. Here are eight of the most typical symptoms of the measles among children
\nand some adults as well.<\/p>\n

1. Fever<\/h3>\n

When you are running a fever<\/a> it can be because of any number of things. A fever is one of the first ways that the body tries to fight off an infection. For this reason, a fever can be a tricky symptom to use to diagnose something like the measles. Often times when a person begins to run a high fever they are misdiagnosed with the flu. A temperature with the measles may be quite mild and then become severe in just a few days.<\/p>\n

The fever will often spike as the skin rash starts to develop. It may even reach up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. As the fever begins to go down, the measles rash will often start to go away as well. If you have not been feeling well and develop a fever, it is a good idea to contact your doctor so that you can be tested to determine what is causing your body to react this way.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Rash<\/h3>\n

When a person develops measles, one of the symptoms that they are likely to experience is a rash. The rash<\/a> that appears on the skin will typically be blotchy and a reddish-brown in color. Typically, this measles rash will begin to appear about four days after a person has been exposed to the virus. Most often, you will notice that a child will start to have a blotchy
\ndiscoloration on their face.<\/p>\n

As mentioned, this blotchiness will be accompanied by a fever in most cases. The rash will typically first appear near the hairline. It will then spread down the neck, throughout the shoulders, onto the arms, then the torso, the legs, and the feet. As the rash is spreading all over the body, it is likely that the fever is going to be higher as well. If you notice this type of rash on your child, it is important to call your doctor right away to discuss what steps to take next.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Cough<\/h3>\n

Once again, one of the symptoms of measles can be misdiagnosed as the flu. This symptom is a cough<\/a> that is harsh, dry, and quite irritated. When a person has the flu they will often have this same type of dry nasty cough. However, a cough that is caused by the measles will not be affected by cough syrups or other over the counter medications.<\/p>\n

This is the best way to tell the difference between a cold that is caused by a cold or the flu and a cough that is caused by the measles. The rubeola virus is primarily spread by mucus droplets that can be passed on by coughing. This is one of the reasons that a person with measles can infect so many people in a short amount of time. As the virus spreads through the mucus, it can easily infect many people who are around the person who has it.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. General Malaise<\/h3>\n

When a person first develops measles<\/a>, a lot of the symptoms of the disease are easy to confuse with the common cold or even the flu. As mentioned, with each of these illnesses, a person will often run a fever and may develop a cough. The rash is one of the few symptoms that are truly different from a regular cold or the flu. Another symptom that is similar in all three illnesses is a feeling of general malaise.<\/p>\n

This includes pains, fatigue, and muscle aches. All of these are prevalent among many different types of viral infections. This is why it can be difficult to diagnose the measles before the rash develops on the skin. Unfortunately, this also means
\nthat a person who has the measles may not realize it until they have been to many different places such as school or work, thus spreading the illness to many people all at once.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Nasal Congestion<\/h3>\n

When your nose is feeling stuffed up, chances are that you do not think much about it. If your child has a stuffy nose, you likely will write it off as being caused by a cold or another type of virus and will not worry too much about it. However, during the early stages of the measles virus, a child may develop a runny nose and begin sneezing<\/a> quite often. Often times, when it is the measles that is causing the runny nose and sneezing, over the counter medications will not provide any type of relief. The measles virus is spread through the mucus.<\/p>\n

The virus may remain contagious in the mucus for several hours after a sneeze or after contact with another individual. This is why it is important to make sure that you are washing not only your hands but your child\u2019s hands frequently when they are ill as this is the best way to help prevent the disease from spreading.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Sores in the Mouth<\/h3>\n

A few days before a person who has measles develops a rash may experience sores in their mouth. These sores are called Koplik spots. The spots will form in clusters. They are white lesions and may appear on the buccal mucosa.<\/p>\n

This is the area located near the lower molars. The lesions may appear anywhere inside of the mouth or even on the back of the throat. The spots typically will look like you have just gargled with salt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They are small and salt like and they have centers that are bluish-white. Some people will experience pain with these sores and may find it difficult to eat. Others will not even notice that these sores have developed. When these sores in the mouth appear, the child is very contagious and can pass on the infection to almost anyone that they come in contact with.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Pink Eye<\/h3>\n

Often times, when a person has the measles they will also develop pink eye<\/a> or conjunctivitis. Either one of the eyes will become infected or both of them. The symptoms of pink eye include eyes that become swollen, red, and quite watery. The eyelids may become very inflamed to the point where it is quite painful. In addition, the eyes may be very itchy and start to emit a mucus that is either white or yellow in color and very thick.<\/p>\n

Once again, the measles virus lives in the mucus. This means that the gunk that comes out of the eye during this time will likely contain the virus, which means that if you come into contact with it you may become infected with the illness as well. Since the measles virus can stay alive in the mucus for so long, it can easily be spread from person to person.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Light Sensitivity<\/h3>\n

When a child has the measles, as the rash begins to spread and get worse, there is a good chance that they will develop a sensitivity to light as well. This symptom of measles is known as photophobia<\/a>. When dealing with the measles the ill person will likely need to rest in a room that is very dimly lit or completely dark.<\/p>\n

Even the smallest exposure to natural lighting can cause the person to experience pain. If the person has to be taken out into natural lighting it is important to make sure that they wear sunglasses. This will help them avoid pain in the eyes and further irritation of the eyes that can become quite painful. As these symptoms can last for up to ten days or so, it is a good idea to plan a darker space for your child to rest in during the throes of the illness.<\/p>\n\r\n

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