What to do if you spot the measles
With measles cases on the rise due to a fall in MMR uptake, an expert reveals what to look out for and what do about it
MEASLES is not only itchy, uncomfortable and unsightly, the virus can be really dangerous too.
Although most common in young children, it can potentially affect anyone who has not been vaccinated against it.
While fatalities are rare, cases of measles have now reached the highest this decade, according to the World Health Organisation.
More than 41,000 children and adults across Europe have been infected in the first six months of this year, and at least 37 have died.
So what do people – and parents in particular – need to know?
We spoke to Dr Paul Shepherd, a GP with Push Doctor (pushdoctor. co.uk), about the infectious virus.
WHAT IS MEASLES?
Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus, and it’s known as being quite unpleasant and severe.
Dr Paul said: “It used to be a common illness, especially in children, until the introduction of the measles vaccine, given as part of the MMR vaccine in infancy.
“However, the MMR vaccine uptake reduced following the flawed research of the discredited Dr Andrew Wakefield, and so we’ve seen increasing cases of measles in the UK and, more especially, across Europe in recent years.”
Parents should be particularly wary of measles as it can lead to serious complications in childhood, including meningitis and pneumonia, sometimes with fatal consequences.
HOW DO YOU CATCH MEASLES?
Much like the common cold, measles is easily spread via tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth.
Dr Paul said: “It’s usually transmitted from person to person by coughing, sneezing or direct contact with body secretions.”
You can catch measles by breathing in these droplets or touching a surface that the droplets have settled on and then placing your hands near your nose or mouth, as the virus can survive on surfaces for a few hours.
WHAT ARE THE OBVIOUS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?
Dr Paul said: “Symptoms will usually start to develop in a person who has been exposed to and infected by the virus after between 10 and 14 days. Early signs are fever, cough, cold symptoms and sore eyes due to conjunctivitis.
“You will often, at this stage, find spots inside the cheeks which are a white or grey colour.”
After a few days, the characteristic measles rash appears.
Dr Paul said: “Look out for a bright red rash, starting on the head and neck before spreading to the rest of the body.”
HOW IS IT TREATED?
There are several things you can do to help relieve the unpleasant symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Dr Paul said: “Give paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve aches and pains and help lower temperature. It is also important to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water.” It can also be helpful to avoid bright light while you’re getting over the worst of it. Most cases of measles will settle on their own over about 10 to 14 days. That said, you should contact your GP as soon as possible if you suspect that you or your child may have measles and there are signs of complications. Dr Paul said: “As a result of catching measles, complications due to bacterial infection may arise, such as middle ear infection, pneumonia and meningitis. “Worrying features would include difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, drowsiness, confusion or fits. In this situation, antibiotics will often be needed to treat the complicating bacterial infection and, in severe cases, hospitalisation is required.”
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT CATCHING IT?
Measles can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine. This is given in two doses, as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.
The first dose is given when your child is about 13 months old and a second dose is given at three years and four months – but you could still get vaccinated later.
Dr Paul said: “The measles vaccine should have been given during childhood as part of MMR but the vaccine can be given at any age.
“Vaccination against measles is vital, both to protect the individual and also to develop a high level of immunity in the population.
“There’s also an injection that can be given in special circumstances, called human normal immunoglobulin, which is a concentration of antibodies against the measles virus.
“This may be given within six days of known exposure to the measles virus to babies under six months, unvaccinated pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems.”
If you already have measles, stay away from others where possible.
Dr Paul said: “You should avoid work or school for at least four days after the rash appears.”