YOUR CHILD AND MEASLES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 July 1938, Page 3

YOUR CHILD AND MEASLES.

ADVICE TO PARENTS (Contributed by the Department of Health.) Have not you heard it said, "Oh, it’s only harmless measles. You must expect children to have all the children’s diseases.” That idea is wrong as it is old-fashioned. Every year measles cause deaths of children in New Zealand—lives that could lx saved if parents would be more cautious. Children between ages 1 and 10 years are most liable to “catch” the disease. It has its greatest toll among children of five years and under. Measles itself is not only dangerous but frequently other serious illnesses follow it. Broncho-pneumonia is one of the most common and fatal complications. Again, it may affect the ears and eyes. But broncho-pneumonia is the gravest development following measles and approximately some sixty per cent, of all cases of bronchopneumonia occur in children under five years of age. The first signs of measles are sneezing, running at the m\se, and a slight cough. The eyes look red and watery and the light hurts them. It is during this early period that others are very liable to catch the disease. The child may appear to have only a cold. But the mother who sends her child toi school or allows him to play in the street at this time is helping to spread the disease to other children. ,

,In the beginning there is little fever. IHH 'Measles can easily be caught through the disease germs the sick person snreads bv talkine: or coughing. For

this reason only the doctor and the per son who is nursing the patient should enter the sick room. Although children are more likely to catch the disease, adults, too, sometimes develop measles. In adult cases the disease is even more serious.

(5) Do not let the child get up until the doctor says it is safe. If possible after an attack of measles a good holiday in the country or at the seaside is advisable.

Remember that measles is considered to be most infectious from the early symptoms to the disappearance of the eruption. The period of exclusion from association with others must be continued until at least two weeks after the appearance of the rash, amL until convalescence is completely ed. If your child shows the signs of measles vou should put him to bed, send for the doctor and obey his orders.