Measles is a common disease that affects most people when they are still in their childhood. There are certain vaccines that are given to children in order to immunize them when they are very young. However, because the vaccine can cause a few temporary side effects like fever and vomiting, there are many parents who choose not to get their children immunized. Therefore, despite the fact that measles was almost eliminated around a decade ago, there has been a recent resurgence of the disease in the United States. If this disease affects infants or children under the age of 5, it can be very serious, or even fatal. Therefore, it is important to realize that the necessity of this vaccine far outweighs the possible side effects, before deciding to leave the child un-immunized against this disease. In older children though, this condition is quite harmless, if proper care is taken, which may even include following a measles food diet.
Signs and Symptoms
In most cases of measles infections, the symptoms follow a particular pattern. After exposure to the virus, it could take about 10 to 12 days for the symptoms of this disease to become evident. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of measles are:
- A rash that mainly consists of large and flat blotches
- Fever
- A runny nose and cough
- Sensitivity to light
- Irritation or a burning sensation in the eyes
- Koplik's spots (small white spots that have bluish white centers) on the inner lining of the cheek and inside the mouth.
As soon as some of the symptoms mentioned above become evident, it is best to consult a doctor, in order to confirm the condition.
Causes
This disease is caused by a contagious virus that lives in the mucus of the infected person. As soon as a person gets infected with the virus, he or she is capable of passing it on to the others, through contact. When an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks, tiny droplets that are infected could be sprayed into the air. These infected droplets can be inhaled by others, who are exposed to the virus. Hence a child or even an adult can easily contract the disease by being in close proximity with an infected person. The virus can remain active in the environment for hours after being released from the body. This is what causes the disease to spread. Hence one of the main causes of measles is staying in close proximity with the affected person.
Food Diet
Although there is no treatment for measles, people can take antibiotics or analgesics to reduce the discomfort caused by the signs and symptoms of measles. Doctors may also prescribe a diet for measles, just to keep the child more comfortable. In the more acute stages of the disease the measles food diet should mainly comprise liquids and other light foods, such as milk, lime water, clear soup, orange juice, barley water or other fresh fruit juices. Once the fever reduces, the measles food diet for the child may include eggs, cornflakes, rice flakes, stewed fruits, boiled or baked potatoes and white fish. However, before putting a child on any measles food diet it is best to consult a doctor.
answered by G R