Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by the measles virus. Years ago, before today’s medical technology, measles epidemics hit in the spring in a two or three year cycle. Often, the disease was fatal to a small majority of its victims. Today, measles is an illness that can most often be cared for at home. In very severe cases, which are rare, children with measles have to be hospitalized.
Who Gets Measles?
Infants, especially those who are breastfed are usually immune to the measles virus for eight months to a year. Older children are often immunized, though that trend is decreasing due to the link of autism and vaccines. Today, college campuses often experience outbreaks of measles. This may be due to lack of immunization against the disease, or possibly that by the time children are of college age, their immune systems are no longer protected.
Complications of the Measles Virus
Complications of the measles virus include croup, bronchiolitis, hepatitis, conjunctivitis and pneumonia.
Croup
Croup is not a singular illness, but a group of illnesses that involves inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. It comes with a deep, barky cough that increases in severity when the child cries. Croup is caused by viruses and often accompanies measles. Complications of croup can be ear infections and/or pneumonia.
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is an illness of the respiratory system that often accompanies the measles virus. Symptoms include runny nose, cough and stuffiness. The infection that causes bronchiolitis is highly contagious. The incubation period is approximately one week and as is the duration of the infection.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by the measles virus. If your child’s pediatrician suspects he has contacted hepatitis, he will send the child for blood tests. This will confirm or reject the presence of hepatitis in your child. Be alert to the following: if your child has foul breath, light or white stools, dark colored urine or if the skin or whites of the eyes have a yellowish tinge during their bout with measles, contact a physician immediately.