Measles is a childhood infection
caused by a virus. Once quite common, measles can now almost always be
prevented with a vaccine. Signs and symptoms of measles include cough, runny
nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash.
Also called rubeola, measles can
be serious and even fatal for small children. While death rates have been
falling worldwide as more children receive the measles vaccine, the disease
still kills more than 100,000 people a year, most under the age of 5.
As a result of high vaccination
rates, measles has not been widespread in the United States for more than a
decade. Today, the United States averages about 60 cases of measles a year, and
most of them originate outside the country.
Sign and Symptoms
Measles signs and symptoms appear
10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Signs and symptoms of measles
typically include:
Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
Tiny white spots with
bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner
lining of the cheek also called Koplik's spots
A skin rash made up of large,
flat blotches that often flow into one another. The infection occurs in
sequential stages over a period of two to three weeks.
Infection and incubation. For the
first 10 to 14 days after you're infected, the measles virus incubates. You
have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.
Nonspecific signs and symptoms
Measles typically begins with a
mild to moderate fever, often accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose,
inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore throat. This relatively mild illness
may last two or three days.
Acute illness and rash
The rash consists of small red
spots, some of which are slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters
give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face breaks out first,
particularly behind the ears and along the hairline.
Over the next few days, the rash
spreads down the arms and trunk, then over the thighs, lower legs and feet. At
the same time, fever rises sharply, often as high as 104 to 105.8 F (40 to 41
C). The measles rash gradually recedes, fading first from the face and last
from the thighs and feet.
Communicable period. A person
with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four
days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four
days.
Cause
The cause of measles is a virus
that replicates in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult.
When someone with measles coughs,
sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air, where other people can
inhale them. The infected droplets may also land on a surface, where they
remain active and contagious for several hours.
You can contract the virus by
putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing your eyes after touching
the infected surface.
Remedies for Measles
1. Neem Leaves
Neem, also known as Indian lilac,
has antibacterial and anti-allergenic properties, and hence it can be very
helpful in relieving itching that often occurs with the rash.
Grind a handful of fresh neem
leaves into a paste. Apply the paste on the affected skin area. Let it dry on
its own and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily for two
weeks.
Alternatively, you can soak a
handful of neem leaves in water and put the water under the sun for several
hours. Finally wash your skin with this water. This will have a soothing effect
on your skin. Do this once daily for two weeks.
2. Olive Leaf
Olive leaf is another most
effective natural treatment against measles. Olive leaf has antimicrobial and
antiviral properties that help kill the virus that causes measles. Plus, it is
a natural antibiotic with antioxidant effects, which help in the healing
process.
Grind a few olive leaves into a
thick paste.
Apply the paste on the affected
skin area. Leave it on for half an hour.
Rinse the area with lukewarm
water and then pat dry thoroughly.
Follow this remedy once or twice
a day for two weeks.
3. Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd or bitter melon has
strong antioxidant properties that help combat various symptoms of measles.
Plus, it has vitamin C, zinc, iron, potassium and dietary fiber, which are
required to boost immunity and speed up the healing process.
Extract the juice from one fresh
bitter gourd.
Mix one tablespoon of bitter
gourd juice with one teaspoon of honey and one-half teaspoon of turmeric
powder.
Take this mixture twice a day for
two to three weeks.
4. Barley
When it comes to skin irritation
and itching, barley is extremely beneficial as it is packed with vitamin C,
antioxidants and minerals. Plus, barley is a rich source of zinc that speeds up
the healing process.
Mix one cup of barley in three
cups of water.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then
simmer it on low heat until the water is reduced to half.
Let the mixture cool and then
strain it.
Add salt and sugar for taste.
Drink two to three glasses of
this daily for about a month.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is another beneficial
ingredient for treating measles. It has antiseptic as well as antioxidant
properties, and hence it is very effective in reducing the symptoms of measles.
Add one tablespoon each of
turmeric powder and honey to a glass of lukewarm milk. Drink it twice daily for
a month.
Grind equal amounts of tamarind
seeds and turmeric root. Have this mixture, in a dose of 350 to 400 grams
(about two and one-half cups), three times a day for two to three weeks
Mix one-half teaspoon of turmeric
and a few drops each of honey and bitter gourd juice. Consume the mixture at
least once a day for about a month.
6. Coconut Water
Coconut water has several
nutrients that help cleanse the body of toxic elements. Also, it is rich in
antioxidants that help promote a speedy recovery from measles. When suffering
from measles, drink plenty of coconut water daily until you recover completely.
This will keep the body hydrated and also save you from developing fatigue due
to loss of energy.
7. Licorice
Licorice root is known for its
antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Hence, it is very effective
in treating measles.
Mix one-half tablespoon each of
licorice powder and honey in a glass of lukewarm water. Drink this once daily
to reduce coughing and soothe a sore throat. Continue until you completely
recover.
You can also have one or two
licorice candies daily.
8. Indian Gooseberry
Indian gooseberry, also known as
amla, is an excellent source of vitamin C that enhances the immune system.
Plus, it’s high in antioxidants and hence very effective in the treatment of
measles.
Mix one teaspoon of amla juice in
one-half cup of water. Drink it twice daily for one month. This will help
alleviate the itching and burning sensation during measles.
Boil one cup of dry amla in four
cups of water for 10 minutes. When cool, use this water to wash your body. Do
this twice daily to relieve burning and itching.
REMEMBER
Being unvaccinated. If you
haven't received the vaccine for measles, you're much more likely to develop
the disease.
Traveling internationally. If you
travel to developing countries, where measles is more common, you're at higher
risk of catching the disease.
Having a vitamin A deficiency. If
you don't have enough vitamin A in your diet, you're more likely to contract
measles and to have more-severe symptoms.