MEASLES
Measles, a highly infectious disease, is very common in childhood. It is so common at this stage of life that nearly all children in most parts of the world suffer form it.
Measles symptoms
feverishness, cold, watering of the eyes
The first symptoms that appear for seven to fourteen days after exposure to the virus are feverishness, cold, watering of the eyes, and a dry cough. A rash appears on the skin four days after the onset of these symptoms. This rash, which consists of small rounded spots with reddened skin in between, initially appears on the sides of the face and the neck, and then gradually spreads allover the body, appearing last on the extremities. Initially pink in colour, the spots grow darker as time passes.
Fever and diarrhoea
Measles is usually accompanied by fever and diarrhoea. In severe cases, high fever and delirium may occur. Complications which can arise from this disease include pneumonia, bronchitis, and abscesses in the ears. One serious but rare complication is inflammation of the brain.
Measles and the Symptoms:
First 2 to 3 days
- Very high fever (up to 105 degrees) .
- Cold like symptom, including a runny nose: a dry cough: swollen glands: red, watery eyes, loss of appetite and aching muscles.
A day or two later
- Inside the mouth, painless small gray or white bumps, like grains of salt surrounded by red rings.
In another day
- Small red spots that first appear on the face and the neck. As they spread down the body, they join to form large blotches .
Measles causes
Virus
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases caused by a virus. This disease is easily transmitted in the early stages through the invisible droplets of moisture, which are discharged from a patient's nose or mouth when he coughs or sneezes.
Wrong feeding habits and unhygienic living conditions
The real causes of this disease, like other diseases of childhood, are however; wrong feeding habits and unhygienic living conditions.
Home Remedies for Measles
Measles treatment using Orange
Oranges are very valuable in measles, as the digestive power of the body is seriously hampered. The patient suffers from intense toxaemia, and the lack of saliva coats his tongue and often destroys his thirst for water as well as his desire for food. The agreeable flavour of orange juice helps greatly in overcoming these drawbacks. Orange juice is the ideal liquid food for this disease.
Measles treatment using Lemon Juice
The juice of lemon also makes an effective thirst-quenching drink in measles. About 15 to 25 ml of lemon juice, diluted with water, should be take for this purpose.
Measles treatment using Turmeric
Turmeric is beneficial in the treatment of measles. Raw roots of turmeric should be dried in the sun and ground to a fine powder. Half a teaspoon of this powder, mixed with a few drops of honey and the juice of a few bitter gourd leaves, should be given to patients suffering from measles.
Measles treatment using Liquorice
Powdered liquorice has been found valuable in relieving the cough, which is typical in measles. The child patient should be given half a teaspoon of powdered liquorice mixed with the same quantity of honey.
Measles treatment using Barley
The use of barley water has proved beneficial for the troublesome cough in measles. This water should be taken frequently, sweetened with the newly-drawn oil of sweet almonds.
Measles treatment using Egg Plant Seeds
The seeds of the egg plant are a stimulant. Intake of half to one gram of these seeds daily for three days will help develop immunity against measles for one year.
· Give your chills lots of fluids .
· Help your child rest in bed.
· Use a cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom.
· If your child's eyes are sensitive to light, darken the bedroom.
· If your child has minor aches or pains, give acetaminophen.
· Keep your child away from others.
Measles diet
Juices of fresh fruits like oranges and lemons frequently.
At the beginning of the treatment, the patient should be given juices of fresh fruits like oranges and lemons frequently. This is sufficient as the child suffers from a lack of appetite during this period.
All-fruit diet followed by well-balanced diet
As the condition improves, the child can be placed on an all-fruit diet for a few days. Thereafter he may be allowed to gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet.
Other Measles treatment
Well-ventilated room is essential
The child should be kept in a well-ventilated room. As light has a detrimental effect upon the eyes during measles because of the weakened condition of the external eye tissues, the child should have his eyes shaded or the room should have subdued light.
Warm-water enema, application of mud packs
The treatment should aim at bringing down the temperature and eliminating the toxins from the system. This can be achieved by administration of a warm-water enema every morning, application of mud packs on the abdomen twice a day - in the morning and evening, and repeated application of chest packs. Lukewarm water baths can be given every day to ease itching. Addition of extracts of neem leaves to this water will prove beneficial.
Complete rest
Children having measles should not be allowed to mix with others so as to avoid passing on the infection to them. In fact, they should take complete rest. Hygienic conditions, along with the above-mentioned treatment, will lead to a speedy recovery.
Avoid medication
Medication should be strictly avoided.
Prevention of Measeles:
- Make sure your child gets the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. This shot is given at 12 to 18 months, with booster at 4 to 6 years.
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