Measles

Mt Benger Mail, 28 September 1938, Page 2

Measles

ADVICE TO PARENTS (Contributed by the Department of Health). Have not you heard it said, “Oh it’s only harmless measles. Yon must expect children to have all the children’s diseases.” That idea is wrong as it is old-fashion-ed. Every year measles cause deaths of children in New Zealand—lives that could be saved if parents would be more cautious. Children between ages 1 and 10 years are most liable to “catch” the disease. It has its greatest toll among children of five years and'under.

Measles itself is not only dangerous but frequently other serious illnesses follow it, Bronchopneumonia is one of the most common and fatal complications. Again, it may affect the ears and eyes. But broncho-pneumonia is the the gravest development following measles, and approximately (60 per cent of all cases of broncho-pneumonia occur in children under five years of age. The first signs of measles are sneezing, running at the nose, and a slight cough. The eyes look red and watery and the light hurts them. It is during this earlyperiod that others are very liable to catch the disease. The child may appear to have only a cold. But the mother who sends her child to school or allows him to play in the street at this time is helping to spread the disease to other children.

lii the beginning there is little fever. In a day or two the, skin becomes hot, the tongue becomes covered with a furry coating, and the throat grows very red. About the fourth day, red spots begin to appear on the forehead and face arid soon spread down over the entire body. The spots collect, in large red blotches and usually itch. What to do. (1) As soon as your child shows signs of measles, keep the child out of school—indoor in bed in an airy room—and away from other children. (2) Call the doctor without delay. He will give your child the proper treatment. The diet should be light in character and the bowels kept well open. (3) Keep the direct light out of the child’s eyes, and do not let him read until the doctor says it is safe.

(4 Be sure and follow your doctor’s directions for keeping your child’s eyes, ears, mouth and nostrils perfectly clean. The discharge from your child’s nose and throat and ears should be carefully gathered in clean rags and burned. Measles can easily be caught through the disease germs the sick person spreads by talking or coughing.. . For .this reason only the doctor and the person who is nursing the patient should enter the sick room. Although children are more likely to catch the disease, adults, too, sometimes develop measles. In adult cases the disease is even more serious.

(5) Do not let the -child get up until the doctor says it is safe. If possible after an attack of measles a good holiday in the country or at the seaside is advisable. Remember that measles is considered to he most infectious from the early symptoms to the disappearance of the eruption. The period of exclusion from association with others must be continued until 'at least two weeks after the appearance of the rash, and until convalescence is completely established. If your child shows the signs of measles you should put him to bed,send for the doctor and obey his orders.