American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [213]
Diagnosis and Treatment
A diagnosis of measles is based on the child’s symptoms and the results of a physical examination. The doctor will recommend having your child rest and giving him or her plenty of fluids, such as water, lemonade, fruit juice, or clear broth. He or she will recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen (not aspirin) to help relieve the pain or reduce the fever. If your child is sensitive to bright light, dim the light in his or her room, or have him or her wear sunglasses. If your child develops a secondary bacterial infection such as a sore throat, an ear infection, or pneumonia, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Most children recover from measles within 10 to 14 days.
Prevention
To prevent measles, have your child vaccinated (see page 376) when he or she is 12 to 15 months old, and again between ages 4 and 6. A doctor may give an unvaccinated child who has been exposed to measles an injection of antibodies called immunoglobulin to fight the infection, or a measles vaccination within 72 hours of exposure to the virus.
Rubella
Rubella (also called German measles) is a mild viral infection that affects the skin and the lymph glands. The disease is usually contracted by inhaling airborne droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. Rubella is slightly less common than measles (see previous page) and is not as contagious.
Symptoms
The initial symptoms of rubella include a slight fever and swollen glands behind the ears, down the side of the neck, and on the back of the neck. After 1 or 2 days, a rash of flat, reddish pink spots (each about inch in diameter) appears on the head or elsewhere on the body. Gradually, the spots may merge to form patches. The rash does not itch, and it lasts for about 3 days. Other possible symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, red eyes, pain and swelling in the joints, and, in boys, pain and swelling in the testicles.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A diagnosis of rubella is based on the symptoms and the results of a physical examination. The doctor may recommend rest, plenty of fluids, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen (not aspirin) to reduce fever and relieve pain. Most children recover completely from rubella in about 1 week.
Prevention
A combined vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella is available, and all children should be vaccinated (see page 376). Women who could become pregnant and who have not been vaccinated for rubella (see page 508) should be vaccinated to prevent a group of birth defects called congenital rubella syndrome, which includes cataracts, congenital heart disease, and low birth weight. Because the vaccination can cause birth defects, a woman should not get pregnant for at least 3 months after having the vaccination.
Roseola Infantum
Roseola infantum is a mild viral infection caused by one of two types of herpesvirus (type 6 or type 7). The infection is spread through contact with infected respiratory secretions or saliva. Roseola usually affects children between ages 6 months and 3 years.
Symptoms
The initial symptoms of roseola are usually irritability and a sudden high fever (between 101 °F and 105°F). In some children, the fever may cause seizures (see page 410). After about 2 to 5 days, the child’s temperature suddenly returns to normal (98.6°F). As the fever subsides, a raised rash of pink or red spots appears on the child’s trunk and may quickly spread to his or her neck, face, arms, and legs. The rash usually lasts for no more than 3 to 5 days. Once the rash appears, the infection is no longer contagious. Along with the rash, the child may have flulike symptoms, including a sore throat, cough, swollen lymph glands in the neck, and diarrhea. He or she may refuse to drink when offered fluids. Except for the sudden high fever, the symptoms of roseola are usually mild.
Diagnosis and Treatment