3 Types of Measles that May Attack Babies and How to Treat them

Measles is an infection caused by a highly contagious paramyxovirus virus. This virus is spread through the air and infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Characteristics of measles is a rash on the sufferer's skin. Measles can attack all ages, including your baby.

Measles rash usually appears behind the ears, around the head and neck. Eventually, this red rash will spread throughout the body. The measles virus can also attack the lungs and nervous system.

Of the types of viruses that cause measles, there are 3 types of measles that can attack babies. What are measles?

1. Infants measles or roseola infantum. This is a baby's disease through a virus that is transmitted through the air. Because the signs are almost the same, roseola infantum is often misinterpreted as measles (rubeola) or German measles (rubella). Roseola infantum is usually transmitted in infants between 6-12 months. Whereas German measles and measles are more likely to occur in older toddlers. You don't need to worry, roseola infantum isn't dangerous as long as it's handled properly.
2. Measles rubeola. The rubeola virus is transmitted directly through the air or through direct contact with fluids from the body of an infected person. The rubeola virus can live in the air for up to two hours. So it could be, your child contracted while in the same room even though the sufferer was not there. Symptoms such as runny nose and cough, then the child's body temperature will rise to 40 ° C will appear about 10-12 days after being infected with the virus. The child's eyes will also be sensitive to bright light. The red rash will appear 15 days later, starting from behind the ears, neck, until spread throughout the body.
3. German measles (rubella). Just like rubeola, rubella is also transmitted through air contaminated by coughing or sneezing from sufferers. Symptoms of rubella tend to be lighter, so difficult to recognize. Usually the rubella virus will develop 2-3 weeks after infection. Symptoms that need attention are fever, muscle aches, red rashes from the face then spread to the body, and swollen lymph nodes. Usually, rubella attacks older children, or adults.

 

Measles Symptoms in Infants

Symptoms of roseola infantum, or baby measles, usually appear after 1-2 weeks after the virus enters the body. These are typical symptoms of a measles virus attack:

• Babies usually have a fever at a temperature of 39-39.5 ° C will last for 3-5 days.
• Babies experience colds and loss of appetite.
• After 5 days the fever will subside, along with the appearance of a pink rash on the chest, stomach, back, arms, neck and face. This rash will usually subside for 2-3 days.

If more than 3 days the rash does not go away or the high fever does not go down, then you need to take your child to the doctor.

The diagnosis of roseola infantum is almost the same as other infectious diseases. Therefore it is often a misdiagnosis if it is taken while still early symptoms. When a rash appears, then it can be examined thoroughly. If deemed necessary, a baby's blood test will be done to see the level of antibodies against roseola infantum.

How to Treat Measles in Infants

Actually there is no need for special treatment methods to treat your baby affected by measles. Here are the things you can do:

• Make the room as comfortable as possible with the cool air.
• Do not bathe your child with cold water, use warm water so he does not shiver.
• Give your child enough to drink so that he does not dehydrate.
• Avoid giving him aspirin medicine to relieve fever, just simply compress it with warm water.
• Avoid going out for a walk until your Little One is completely healed.

Measles usually lasts a short time and can heal itself perfectly. But a fever that rises quickly plus cold air or water, can trigger a febrile seizure. Serious measles complications will arise when babies have low body power. These complications can include inflammation of the brain or pneumonia.

Ways to Prevent Measles in Infants

Measles is a viral infection that can be prevented by vaccination. MMR vaccine is used to prevent mumps (mumps), measles (measles), and rubella (German measles). This vaccine is very effective in preventing measles. MMR is given when the child is 9 months old, then repeated when the child is 15 months old, and is strengthened with the vaccine when the child is 5 years old.

In addition to the MMR vaccine, measles can be prevented by:

• Washing hands especially after doing outdoor activities, urinating, or doing other activities. Cleanliness is the first line to maintain the health of both the little one and mama's family.
• Better to change clothes first before hugging or holding your child after from the outside.
• Before your child can receive the MMR vaccine, avoid areas that are prone to measles.

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