There’s no specific prescription to treat measles—treatment approaches are only meant to relieve measles symptoms. After one is treated, the condition is normally improved within seven to ten days. Your doctor will probably suggest that you stay isolated at home until the symptoms disappear. For instance, you may be advised to skip work for at least four days from when the first rash appears, in order to avoid transmitting the virus to other people. You may also be advised to stay away from people who are more vulnerable, such as pregnant women and children. If your child is infected, you may be advised to allow him/her to skip school for a few days, to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Several measures can be taken to protect those who are vulnerable: Immune serum globulin —This is a protein injection that can be administered to people with weakened immune systems such as infants and pregnant women, in order to prevent the disease from developing. Mayo Clinic states that, once given within six days of exposure to the virus, this protein injection can prevent measles, or make its symptoms less severe. Post-exposure vaccination —People who aren’t immunized, including infants, can receive vaccination within 72 hours of exposure to the virus, to provide needed protection against measles.

While measles can affect anyone, there are some risk factors that elevate the risk of contracting the disease or aggravate the symptoms. Some of these risk factors include:    Vitamin A deficiency —If you are vitamin A deficient, you’re more likely to contract measles or have severe symptoms.    Being unvaccinated —Over 90% of those unvaccinated are at a greater risk of developing measles.    International travelling —Travelling to countries where measles is more common (and less controlled), such as in developing countries, puts you at a higher risk of developing the disease.   When to see a Doctor You should contact your doctor as soon as you suspect that you, or your child or other close family-member, may have measles. It is also advisable to contact your doctor through telephone before you can visit. This is necessary because your doctor may need to make arrangements, in order to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others. You should also contact your doctor if your child is an infant, or your child is under medication that suppresses the immune system. If your child has cancer, tuberculosis, or other conditions that affect the immune system, you should contact your doctor immediately.

A widespread skin rash is a classic sign of measles. The rash may appear about three to five days after infection, and may last up to ten days after treatment. The rash, which appears as red, itchy bumps, commonly develop on the face, and slowly spread to other parts of the body. Although the rash is the key symptom of measles, it is accompanied by a number of other symptoms that generally appear within 14 days of exposure to the virus. Some of these symptoms include:    White spots in the mouth    Sore throat    Runny nose    Muscle aches    Light sensitivity    Red eyes    Fever  (normally up to 104°F / 40°C)    Dry cough Measles can be life threatening—about one in ten patients will need hospital treatment. Around 30 percent of people with measles (normally children under the age of five and adults over 20 years) will develop other complications. For example, if one is pregnant, measles increases the risk of low birth weight, premature labor, or miscarriage. Other complications may include:    Seizures —These are mainly caused by fever. It is estimated that 1 in every 15 children will experience febrile seizures as a result of measles.

Measles, also called rubeola , is a highly contagious respiratory infection that’s caused by the measles virus (MeV). Although the disease is now uncommon in the United States, it is estimated that over 20 million cases happen every year worldwide. Before medical intervention in 1980, measles caused around 2.6 million deaths annually. According to the World Health Organization, measles is among the leading causes of death among young children, even though safe and cost-effective preventive measures are put in place. Over 134, 200 deaths worldwide were caused by measles—that’s about 15 deaths per hour! Although the disease is most common in young children, anyone can get it if they haven’t been vaccinated, or if they haven’t had it before. Since this health condition is caused by a virus, there is no specific treatment for it; the virus has to run its course. The initial symptoms develop around ten days after one is affected, and clear within seven to ten days. Even though the disease is highly contagious and life threatening, it is easily preventable. Two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles vaccine) can provide effective protection for you, your family, and the wider community. It is reported that over 95 percent of those vaccinated are protected from contracting the disease.