Measles

Even though measles are often called a typical childhood disease, they do not strictly belong to it, because infection is possible at any age. The reason why measles are mainly known as a childhood disease is that, before the introduction of the vaccination, most people were infected during their childhood due to the high contagiousness. In this article, we have summarized everything important about the course of this highly contagious viral disease and reveal how you can alleviate the symptoms in your child and which vaccination provides protection against the infection.

How are measles transmitted?

Measles are most contagious : The viruses are mainly transmitted via a Droplet infection when speaking, coughing, or sneezing, less often about a Smear infection , also transmitted through contact. 90 to 95 percent of all unvaccinated individuals who come into contact with the viruses will contract measles. The infection rate is particularly high because infected persons are contagious three to five days before the appearance of the characteristic rash — that is, possibly before the illness is detected — and up to four days after it ends. Additionally, measles viruses can survive in the air for up to two hours.

What are the symptoms of measles?

The initial symptoms of measles appear approximately eight to twelve days after the actual infection. The course of the disease of measles is divided into two phases, each accompanied by a fever spike:

• The Pre-stage starts initially with flu-like symptoms how Fever , runny nose, sore throat and dry, painful cough, exhaustion and headaches. In some cases, your child may also suffer from stomach ache, constipation or Diarrhea , conjunctivitis or light sensitivity of the eyes. Two or three days after the initial symptoms, then white-red spots on the buccal mucosa visible (Koplik spots) and the inner oral and pharyngeal mucous membrane is also heavily reddened. The fever rises before it subsides again after three to five days.

• Starting from the beginning capital city Fever intensifies again, just like the other symptoms of the prodrome. Additionally, the lymph nodes swell and the typical hellroter Hautausschlag begins to spread behind the ears of your little explorer over his face and the entire body (except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet). The Stains darken after a few days and take on a brownish-purple color before the skin begins to peel after four to seven days, and the rash gradually disappears. The other symptoms also subside with the spots, and the fever subsides.

Followed by the two recovered illness phases two to four weeks, during which the body is still weakened and the weakened immune system needs to recover first. Even during this time, your child should still rest, as their susceptibility to other infections is increased.

Ideally, measles heal on their own without any problems. However, in some cases, especially in infants and people with weakened immune systems, it can lead to dangerous Mixed infections including an ear or lung infection. A feared complication of this can be an inflammation of the brain, which often results in severe sequelae or even death.

Treatment of childhood diseases

There is no vaccination for measles no specific treatment , the symptoms can only be alleviated and the healing process supported. Nevertheless, you should definitely go to the pediatrician , when you notice initial symptoms indicating measles. The signs of illness are often not so easy to for which Distinguish between rubella, fifth disease, or scarlet fever and a laboratory examination must determine whether it is actually measles. Initially, if an infection is suspected, the transmission to unvaccinated individuals in the immediate vicinity, especially infants, can be prevented through an early or delayed vaccination or by administering the so-called Immune globulins (finished antibodies) still prevented.

There is a home atmosphere Rest and convalescence for your little explorer. With home remedies such as calf wraps and plenty of fluids, you can help reduce the fever and alleviate your child's discomfort. However, medication should only be taken after consulting a doctor. If your child has recovered from measles, they are immune to the disease for life.

What is the measles vaccination?

If you have antibodies against measles yourself, either because you have been vaccinated or have previously been infected, these are transferred during pregnancy via the umbilical cord automatically transferred to your baby. Up to six months after birth, it is therefore through the Nest protection protected against infection. Only in rare cases can it happen that infants still develop a mild form of measles, the so-called mitigated measles fall ill.

Typically, the measles vaccination is administered together with the vaccine against mumps and rubella in two doses : The first dose is given to your child between the 11th and 14th month of life, and the second at least four weeks later, between the 15th and 23rd month of life. In certain situations, such as an early daycare attendance or an upcoming stay abroad, the vaccination can also be moved forward. In this case, it is administered in three instead of two doses. In about five percent of cases, mild symptoms such as fatigue or fever may occur five to ten days after the vaccination; sometimes, a mild measles rash may also appear. But no need to worry: these are the so-called vaccine measles, which are not contagious and usually harmless. Your pediatrician will assist you with the Preventive check-up U6 to MMR vaccination ( Mumps , measles, rubella) inform and answer all questions you have about the procedure or possible side effects.

Since the introduction of the measles vaccination, the Number of new cases in Germany has decreased significantly – In recent years, it has been below 2,000. However, in other European countries, there is a resurgence in new cases, leading to the decision in Germany in 2019 to implement mandatory measles vaccination before entry into kindergarten or school. The law came into effect on March 1, 2020. In Austria and Switzerland, mandatory vaccination is also being discussed.

It's worth checking your own vaccination status in time: this increases the likelihood that, thanks to herd immunity, your little explorer can avoid infection before they can become immune themselves. We hope we have been able to answer some of your questions about measles. If you are still unsure, you can always contact your pediatrician.