Measles (Rubeloa) and Rubella

Measles, also called rubeola, might seem fairly innocuous with its red rash, but it is considered one of the most serious contagious childhood viral diseases because of the complications associated with it: pneumonia, encephalitis and meningitis. Other complications include croup, ear infection, conjunctivitis and hepatitis.

Once an almost inevitable childhood illness, measles has become rare in the United States. Worldwide, however, millions of cases still occur and cause more than 400,000 deaths each year.

Immunization has been available in this country since 1963, helping to prevent the spread of measles. Outbreaks still occur, spread chiefly by children and teens who immigrate here from abroad and who have not been immunized. The vaccine is usually given in combination with the mumps and rubella vaccines and is called the MMR vaccine. Adults born before 1957 are considered immune to measles because they most likely had the disease. Adults born during or after 1957 should receive at least one dose of MMR, unless they have a medical reason not to have it; were already vaccinated; or had measles. A second dose of MMR is recommended for adults who were recently exposed to measles; were previously vaccinated with killed measles vaccine; or were vaccinated with an unknown type of measles vaccine from 1963 to 1967.

College and university students, health care personnel, non-pregnant women of childbearing age, child care workers such as teachers and day care personnel and international travelers are at increased risk for measles, and should make sure that they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine to ensure adequate protection.

Women who are pregnant, or could become pregnant within three months of vaccination with MMR, should not be vaccinated.

Measles is so contagious that a non-immunized person in the same household as a person with the measles will almost always develop the illness. The virus is spread by contact with mucus from the nose and mouth and by airborne droplets. A person with the measles is contagious up to four days before and about four days after the telltale rash appears. Symptoms of the illness appear eight to 12 days after the child has been exposed to the measles virus. Measles usually lasts 10 to 14 days, from the beginning of the first symptoms to the time the rash fades. Children can usually return to school seven to 10 days after the fever and rash disappear.

Symptoms of Measles

• Reddish blotchy rash over most of the body

• High fever

• Hacking cough

• Runny nose

• Watery red eyes

• Red spots with blue-white centers that appear inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots)

Rubella

Another type of measles is called rubella. It's also known as German measles and three-day measles. It is also caused by a virus, but this type of measles is a very mild, less contagious infection. Symptoms appear two to three weeks after exposure to the virus, and include mild fever, headache, runny or stuffy nose, red eyes, aching joints and a fine, pink, non-itchy skin rash that spreads to cover the body.

The biggest risk of rubella is to the fetus. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella early in her pregnancy, the chance of birth defects can be as high as 80 percent. Chief defects include deafness, blindness, heart damage and mental retardation. All women of childbearing age should be vaccinated against rubella, if they have not received the vaccine as children. The childhood rubella vaccine is given in combination with the other type of measles and mumps (MMR).

What to Do

To help prevent your child from getting the measles and rubella, make sure he or she is immunized. All children should receive the vaccines as part of the mumps-measles-rubella vaccine. Children should be given the first dose of MMR vaccine soon after the first birthday, at 12 to 15 months of age. The second dose is recommended before the start of the kindergarten.

Call your child's doctor if you suspect that your child has the measles. Your doctor can tell you if there is a local epidemic in progress. Measles in an un-immunized child often can be prevented if the vaccine is given within three days of exposure.

Also call your child's doctor if :

• Your child is an infant and has been exposed to the measles

• Your child has been exposed to the measles and is taking medication that affects his/her immune system

• Your child has been exposed to the measles and has tuberculosis or cancer

• Your child has the measles and complains that light hurts his/her eyes

• Your child has the measles and appears so drowsy or sleepy that it's difficult to wake him/her fully

• Your child has the measles and complains of a headache

• Fever doesn't go away, and he/she starts breathing rapidly, or wheezing

• Your child has the measles and complains of an earache

Use Medicine Effectively

For fever, you can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. (Because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, children and teens with a fever should not be given aspirin or aspirin-containing products.)

Self-care Steps for Measles and Rubella

• If your child contracts the measles or rubella, keep him/her home and away from other children until your doctor gives the OK to return to school.

• Encourage your child to rest, although it's not necessary to keep him or her in bed.

• Give your child plenty of liquids to drink. These include water, fruit juice and lemonade.