Thursday, September 5, 2013

Baby Measles: Things You Should Know!

So yesterday baby A's fever already subsided but this afternoon we took her back to the Hospital. No not because of fever but because while we were changing her diaper I noticed that there were few rashes on her torso. I immediately thought of measles, chicken pox or any of the kind. Though I am a nurse I was actually confused, you know since I graduated and passed the Nursing Licensure Exam I wasn't able to put my profession into practice (Nakaka-kalawang ng utak pag nasa bahay lang lol). So I just Googled it up based on the signs and symptoms that baby A manifested and it turns out to be Baby Measles. Although we already knew what it was, we still decided to take her to the Hospital so that this would be noted on her records. Her Pediatrician is no longer available so we went to see a different Pediatrician instead. Upon assessment, she confirmed that it's just Baby Measles. There isn't a treatment for this, the rashes usually heal after 2-3 days, though she prescribed Cetirizine an anti-histamine because the rashes could be itchy and might make her irritable.

Anyways let me just squeeze in some photos :)


Picture-picture before we left

Kuya Tantan striking a pose. 

Baby Athena's OOTD. No rashes on her face yet.



Photos were taken at the hospital while waiting for our turn.

As you can see on the photos above baby Athena's face doesn't have any rashes yet, it was still around her torso. But all through the day, the rashes continue to spread out until it reaches her face.

Photos were taken just this evening.

Poor baby A, this rashes could last for 3 days. Hopefully, by Sunday it will all be gone because that's her 1st birthday.

It's my first time to encounter this with my kid. Kuya Tantan didn't have this before. It's nothing really serious but still knowing my baby is sick makes me feel sad. Besides, since it's viral and we live in the same household it could be transmitted to Kuya Tantan and me. Good thing I am already on my third trimester so I don't have to worry about the congenital anomaly. Though it could cause infection to me and it might be transmitted to the baby, so on my next Prenatal, I should inform my OB that I was exposed to Roseola virus/Baby measles.

Alright, so I just wanna raise awareness about this disease, Here are things you should know about Baby Measles. Read on... 

Baby Measles

Roseola infantum is mostly called baby measles. It is a contagious viral baby illness, a bit like the other contagious childhood illnesses, and is often mistaken for either measles (Rubeola) or German measles (Rubella). Babies usually contract it between six months and two years (more commonly in the first year). Roseola is harmless and parents don't have to be concerned.

Symptoms 

Roseola starts quite suddenly with a high temperature which usually lasts for about three days. Strangely though, there seems to be nothing really wrong with the baby. Baby's temperature peaks to very high levels with Roseola, often tipping the mercury at 39C and 39.5C. After about three days, the fever suddenly breaks and at about the same time, a fine pink rash erupts over baby's torso and just encroaches onto the upper arms and thighs. During this time, the baby is usually very irritable and his behavior and appetite are far more likely to be disturbed than during the fever stage. All symptoms of the rash and irritability should clear within about five to seven days of the eruption of the rash 

Treatment

There is no real treatment for Roseola, but use these tips to keep the fever under con­trol: 
  • Undress baby and keep only his vest and nappy on. 
  • Cool the room by opening all the windows and switching on a fan. Don't put your little one in a draught though. 
  • Wrap cool wet linen cloths around your baby's legs and arms, changing them every couple of minutes. 
  • Place a face flannel with ice blocks on the nape of baby's neck or forehead. 
  • Bath baby in tepid water - not cold. 
  • Increase your baby's liquid intake. 
  • Use a homoeopathic fever support treat­ment like Fever drops or the tissue salt remedy Ferrum phos during the day. This will not break his fever but will help the body deal with the underlying infection more rapidly and often prevents the need for other medicine. 
  • Avoid giving small babies and children aspirin. Paracetamol-based medi­cation is safer. 
  • To help baby through the itchy phase, add a pot of rooibos tea and a handful of bicarbonate of soda to his bathwater and apply a calendula-based cream to soothe the itch. Keep up baby's fluid intake but don't force him, to eat if he doesn't want to. 
The difference between Rubella, Rubeola and Roseola

Rubella (German measles)

Rubella is a highly infectious viral disease which mostly affects children, adoles­cents and young adults, and is spread by airborne droplets. It is a fairly mild disease and only a slight risk of secon­dary encephalitis exists. Your child will feel a bit under the weather for 10 days to two weeks before the rash appears. Many outbreaks are so mild as to go unnoticed. 

The tiny pinkish-red spots of Rubella look more like a patch than individual spots, and they can first be detected behind the ears and on the forehead, thereafter spreading to the rest of the body. The rash passes after two to three days. Swollen lymph glands can be de­tec­ted in the nape of the neck. A rise in temperature of up to 38¡C is common, but consult your doctor should it in­crease. Be on the lookout for signs of a headache and a stiff neck, then seek medical help immediately. 

Rubeola (Measles)

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, mostly without serious compli­cations. The measles virus spreads by small droplets from the nose, throat or mouth of an infected person. 

Symptoms like a runny nose and coughs occur during the incubation period, which is between eight and 12 days. Your child's temperature can rise to 40C, and he might complain of a headache at this stage. Small, white spots on the inside of the cheeks, called Koplik spots, will confirm the diagnosis of measles. Your child will probably also experience sensitivity to bright light and the eyes will be painful and red. After about three days, a brownish-red rash begins behind the ears, which soon spreads to cover the face and the whole trunk.

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