Measles is a contagious viral disease that appears with red skin spots along with fever and inflammation in children, which can be transmitted through saliva, nose and mucous fluids. Most mothers want to know from the pediatrician whether measles has dangerous side effects. What are the symptoms of this disease? What are the methods of caring for a child with measles? Stay with us until the end of this article in order to learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment methods of **measles in children**. What is measles? According to Dr. Ali Faraji, measles is an acute and contagious viral disease that affects children. This complication is one of the most common diseases, especially in childhood, but measles can also occur in adults. This virus is highly contagious and is transmitted through breathing, but fortunately, the vaccine reduces the risk of contracting this disease. Symptoms of measles in children Measles is divided into latent and manifest stages. If the symptoms are latent, no complications will occur in the child's body for 10 days. But after 10 to 12 days, the following symptoms start to appear: - Fever for three days - Runny nose - Dry cough - Sore throat similar to children's colds - Redness and burning in the eyes - Muscle pain - The appearance of white spots inside the mouth and on the tongue (at the end of the third day) - Rashes and red spots (on the fourth and fifth days, it starts behind the ears, then spreads to the face and then the trunk and finally covers the rest of the body) The symptoms of this disease are often present in the body between 7 and 14 days and usually disappear after two weeks. Mothers should be alert and go to the first pediatrician as soon as possible after seeing any symptoms of the disease. Causes of measles in children The causes of this disease are a type of contagious virus from the family of Paramyxoviruses (Paramyxoviridae) that spreads in the air through the mouth, breathing and coughing. This virus lives in the sinuses and in the mouth of a child or adult with measles. When the virus enters the body, it begins to multiply in the cells of the mucous tissue of the throat and lungs, after which the virus spreads throughout the body, including the respiratory system and the skin. It is worth mentioning that some factors such as non-vaccination, international travel, lack of vitamin A can cause this disease. If the person has not yet received this vaccine and has not been infected with it, it is better to get vaccinated early and use vitamin A in their diet or plan. Also, if you plan to travel to a country where measles is common, get vaccinated before you travel. ### Is measles contagious? As mentioned above, this disease is highly contagious. Research has shown that about 90% of people who are susceptible to measles will definitely get it when exposed to someone infected with the virus. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, infected droplets remain suspended in the air and a healthy person is easily infected. Contaminated droplets stay on the same surface for hours and can infect healthy people. Healthy people easily absorb the virus by putting their fingers in their mouth and nose or rubbing their eyes. Usually, a person with measles can transmit it to others from four days before the appearance of the rash to four days after the appearance of the disease. Note that people who have had measles in the past will not get measles again. If a person has been infected in the past, his body produces antibodies in the immune system to fight the infection, which makes it impossible for it to occur again. Diagnosis of measles in children A pediatrician can diagnose this disease by seeing rashes and small spots on the surface of the body. Although the doctor diagnoses measles in children by observing the signs and symptoms, to confirm the presence of the virus, the doctor may resort to the following: - Blood test - Sampling to confirm the presence of the virus from the throat and nose - Antibody screening (IgM) In most cases, measles is easily recognized by the appearance of common symptoms such as a red rash. Treatment of measles in children Unlike bacterial diseases, viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, and measles symptoms disappear within two to three weeks. Although there is no definitive cure for measles, some measures can be taken to protect vulnerable people, including: 1. **Serum Immunoglobulin:** In order to strengthen the body's immune system in pregnant women, infants, people with weak immune systems who are exposed to this virus, it is effective to receive antibodies called serum immunoglobulin. 2. **Vaccination after infection:** Administration of vaccine within 72 hours after encountering measles to make them resistant to the virus. If the measles has not spread in the patient's body, he can have mild symptoms in a shorter period of time. 3. Other drugs: Most of the time, the doctor prescribes drugs such as fever reducers, antibiotics, anti-itching lotions such as vitamin A antihistamine to reduce the symptoms of the disease. ### Tips to reduce the symptoms of measles Regarding how to deal with a child with measles, it is better to follow the following instructions to reduce and coexist with measles: - Complete rest in a quiet and dimly lit room can help the child relax. - It is effective to use a warm water compress to relieve skin rashes. - Avoid touching the rash so as not to leave a mark on the skin. - It is recommended that a child with measles rests at home and does not attend school, playgrounds and parties in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Measles vaccination in children The best way to prevent measles in children is vaccination. The MMR vaccine is one of the basic vaccines in all countries of the world and is injected at the end of the first year of life. This vaccine is injected twice, the first at the age of 12 to 15 months and the second before entering school, i.e. at the age of 4 to 6 years. It should be noted that pregnant women or those who intend to become pregnant, in addition to people who are allergic to gelatin or neomycin (a type of antibiotic), should not take the vaccine. For people whose immune systems may be compromised, such as having an illness or receiving treatment for an illness, a doctor should be consulted before receiving the vaccine. ### Measles symptoms in children after vaccination The vast majority of children who receive the measles vaccine do not experience any side effects, but they may experience the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine: About 10 percent of people who receive the vaccine have a fever, usually 5 to 12 days after receiving the vaccine. - About 5% have mild rashes. - Less than one person in a million may have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. Risks of measles in children and infants Possible complications of measles include: - Ear infection - Pneumonia - Encephalitis - Laryngitis or bronchitis Of course, measles can cause infection if a pregnant woman is not immunized. If a pregnant woman gets measles, the risk of developing the following complications increases: - Abortion - Premature birth - Low birth weight of the baby Therefore, pregnant women should take necessary precautions to prevent infection by avoiding crowded places and avoiding contact with people who have symptoms such as high fever and skin rashes. **last word** Measles is a contagious disease, so any contact with a person carrying the virus can cause measles in people. There is no definitive treatment for measles in children, and it must be treated for 7 to 15 days. However, the best way to treat this disease is prevention by vaccination. In children, the first dose is usually prescribed at 12 to 15 months and the second dose at 4 to 6 years. In the end, it is recommended to see the best pediatrician as soon as you see the symptoms of this disease.