MEASLES

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1933, Page 2

MEASLES

ADVICE TO PARENTS. The following information is supplied by the Department of Health: An epidemic of measles is present in several districts of the Dominion, and it may be opportune to repeat the advice to parents already given with reference to this disease. Measles is a widely distributed, highly communicable disease to which human beings are almost universally susceptible. Few escape the disease in the long run, and since one attack almost always confers lasting immunity people think that a child may as well get it over. Though this disease, however is often mild and transient, it may be exceedingly dangerous owing to complications developing. It tends to be more severe in children under six years of age. In older children measles is not so deadly of itself, but it lowers the resistance of the patient and opens the gate for the introduction of germs of other diseases. It is therefore necessary that care should be taken even when the illness is apparently slight in character.

Symptoms. During an epidemic of measles, expect that a child may be sickening when it seems to be suffering from a bad cold. Symptoms develop commonly about eleven days after exposure to infection. The characteristic onset is as follows: There is running at the eyes and nose, slight hoarseness, and a hard .cough with increasing feverishness, and then about the fourth day spots begin to appear on the forehead and face, and spun spread down over the entire body. The spots collect in large red blotches and itch. Remainiug at its height for a day or two, the disease, as a rule, abates gradually, and at the end of a fortnight, or it may be sooner, the child is practically well. Heeling is represented by a powdery condition of the skin, hardly, however, noticeable. The course, however, may be less favourable, the disease assuming a virulent form almost from the onset. It may give rise to complication, especially bronchitis and bronchial pnemhonia, and often prepares the way for tuberculosis. Other complications are disease of the middle ear, leading to ear discharge, and this may be associated with inflammatory conditions of the eye-lids and a tendency to serious weakness of the eyes which, unless due care is taken, may become permanent.

Care and Treatment. i As' 59011 as your child shows the first si ( giis of measles, if he sneezes, coughs, and his eytes are watery, keep him out of school—indoors—and away from other children. Put him'"in lied at once in a separate room if possible. I-et, there be no glaring light, either by day or night. Keep the room comfortably warm and well ventilated. See that the diet is light in character and the bowels kept well open. It is advisable to call in the doctor at once, as neglect of treatment may result in serious consequences. Be sure to keep the child’s eyes, ears, mouth, and nostiils perfectly clean. The discharge from the nose, throat and ears should be eaiefully (gathered in clean rags and burned. Measles can easily be c.slight, through. the disease germs the sick person spreads by talking and coughing. For this reason only the doctor and the person who <s musing the patient should enter the sick roonn When the skin be,gins to peel, oil the body or bathe the patient in warm water. Keep the child in 1 bed for at least four days after the- rash 1 has subsided and the temperature normal. Do not let him strain his eyes in poring over finely-printed books. Be careful as to exposure to cold until the health is completely re-established. If possiole, alter an attack of measles a good holiday in the country or at the seaside is advisable. Do not let the child spread the infection to others. Remember that measles is considered to be most infectious from the onset of the catarrhal symptoms to the disappearance of the eruption. The period ol exclusion from association with others must he continued until at least two weeks after the appearance of the rash, and until convalescence is completely established.

Bear in Mind. —Measles is an acute infection. Measles is a. serious disease in children of tender years, A grave responsibility rests with a parent or guardian who treats it lightly in a child and through indifference or neglect exposes other children’ of the household or community to infection. Children suffering from this disease should bo strictly isolated and carefully nursed, and every precaution taken to prevent its spread to others. Medical advice should be immediately obtained and followed. There is no more unsound popular belief than that this disease is the natural heritage of every child. The majority of the children who contract this disease are under six years of age. If they get it later risk of severe illness is less. It is necessary, however, that care should be taken, even when the illness is apparently slight in character.