SICKNESS IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN: MEASLES AND MUMPS

by admin on March 12th, 2009. Filed under General health

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. The disease starts with the same symptoms as a cold. After a few days, a characteristic rash appears. These spots are pink and may show up first behind the ears or on the forehead or the cheeks, and then spread downwards. Usually, the spots itch when the fever is at its highest point. The rash begins to fade after four or five days.

Complications such as ear infections and pneumonia are possible after measles. It can also result in permanent brain damage, and may even be fatal, although these extremes are rare. A live virus vaccine against measles is now available and is believed to give life-long immunity. Many doctors think that measles will be the next childhood disease to be almost eliminated.

German measles

Like ordinary measles, German measles, or rubella, is caused by a virus. It usually begins with a slight cold, a fever, and a sore throat. Then the rash comes in the form of rosy-coloured spots that quickly spread over the entire body. At first, the rash looks like a measles rash, then like scarlet fever. The lymph glands behind the ear and in the neck swell up. The rash lasts two or three days.

German measles is a contagious disease. In children, it is usually mild and without complications. The real threat occurs when an adult woman catches it during the first three months of pregnancy. In such a case, there is serious danger that the child will be born deformed. The pregnant woman exposed during her first three months to German measles should consult her obstetrician immediately.

Mumps

Mumps is a contagious childhood disease caused by a virus. The parotid gland beneath the ear, which secretes saliva, swells up, first on one side of the face and then sometimes on the other side. Less often, the virus attacks other salivary glands under the jaw.

In adult males, mumps can be a painful illness because it can attack the testicles. If the father or any other young male in the household has not had mumps, he should consult his doctor.

Mumps is treated by rest in bed until the fever and swelling have cleared.

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