From the Guidelines
Measles in children is a severe and potentially life-threatening illness that requires prompt medical attention, with symptoms including high fever, runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and a characteristic red, blotchy rash. The incubation period of measles averages 10-12 days from exposure to prodrome and 14 days from exposure to rash, with a range of 7-18 days 1. Measles symptoms in children typically include:
- High fever
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Red and watery eyes
- Small white spots inside the mouth called Koplik spots
- A characteristic red, blotchy rash that appears after several days, starting on the face and spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet
- Sensitivity to light
- Fatigue
- Irritability
Treatment focuses on symptom management with:
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain, following age-appropriate dosing
- Plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
- Rest in a darkened room if light sensitivity occurs
- Vitamin A supplements may be recommended by healthcare providers for certain children 1. It is essential to seek immediate medical attention if your child has:
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent high fever
- Severe headache
- Seizures Measles is highly contagious but preventable through vaccination, with the MMR vaccine typically given at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years 1. Complications can be serious, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and ear infections, which is why prompt medical evaluation is essential, especially for children under 5 years old 1.
From the Research
Measles Symptoms in Children
Measles is a highly contagious, potentially fatal, but vaccine-preventable disease caused by measles virus 2. The symptoms of measles in children include:
- Fever
- Maculopapular rash
- At least one of cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis
Complications of Measles
Complications from measles are relatively common and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality 3. These complications can affect many organs and often include:
- Otitis media
- Laryngotracheobronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Stomatitis
- Diarrhea
- Neurological complications, such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, measles inclusion body encephalitis, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis 2
Laboratory Diagnosis and Management
Laboratory diagnosis relies largely on the detection of specific IgM antibodies in serum, dried blood spots, or oral fluid, or the detection of viral RNA in throat or nasopharyngeal swabs, urine, or oral fluid 2. Patient management mainly involves supportive therapy, such as vitamin A supplementation, monitoring for and treatment of secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics, and rehydration in the case of severe diarrhea 2. There is no specific antiviral therapy for the treatment of measles, and disease control largely depends on prevention 2.
Prevention and Vaccination
The measles vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent measles 4. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends 2 doses of MMR vaccine routinely for children, with the first dose administered at age 12 through 15 months and the second dose administered at age 4 through 6 years before school entry 4. Vaccination is especially important for children, as measles can cause significant morbidity and mortality in this population 5.