Measles is an acute viral disease, which is one of the most contagious and common infections. Pathogen of measles is an RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus, which is transmitted by airborne droplets. This virus has very low resistance to various effects( boiling, disinfection) and quickly dies outside the human body.
Although we are accustomed to consider measles as a common childhood disease, it is very dangerous. Every hour in the world, 15 people die from it, this makes 165,000 people a year. And before 1980, the number of deaths was more than 20 times! Especially high mortality in the developing countries of Africa and Asia. There, 20% of children's deaths are associated with measles. We managed to get rid of large measles epidemics due to universal vaccination. Children aged 1 and 6 years are vaccinated against measles, rubella and mumps. The grafted people, even if they become ill, carry the disease in mild form.
In this article we will consider measles in adults, detailed photos of the disease will help us, as well as the first symptoms and actual methods of treating measles, besides, we will not forget to mention preventive measures, they will help to avoid the disease and its terrible complications.
How can I get infected?
Infection with measles occurs by airborne droplets. The index of contagiosity is 95%, that is, it is a disease of high infectiousness. To transmit the infection you need direct contact with the patient, through common things and third parties the transmission of the virus does not occur.
Cases of the disease are recorded all year round, however more often in the cold period. Children of 4 and 5 years are most often ill. Babies up to a year who received antibodies against the virus from the mother are unresponsive in the first 4 months of life. In the future, immunity weakens, and the child may become infected by contact with the patient. The patient remains infectious until the fifth day from the appearance of the rash, with complications until the tenth day.
The only bright spot in all this is a very powerful lifelong immunity after a suffered illness.
Incubation period
After entering the human body pathogenic microorganism( the causative agent of measles), the incubation period of the disease begins, which lasts 7-21 days. At this time there are no symptoms of the disease and the patient in this phase of the disease does not complain about the deterioration of well-being.
At the end of the incubation period and in the first 5 days of rashes a patient is able to infect another person with a disease. After the end of the initial stage begins catarrhal.
Symptoms of measles in adults
When measles develop in adults, the main symptoms remain the same as in children, but the severity of the disease in an adult will be more pronounced. This is especially noticeable during the rash, during bacteremia, when the virus multiplies extensively in the blood.
The main symptoms of measles in adults are:
- fever( fever) to 38 - 40 ° C;
- headaches, weakness;
- decreased appetite;
- conjunctivitis, rhinitis, photophobia;
- dry, nasal cough;
- hoarseness of voice;
- measles enanthema - large red spots on the soft and hard sky;
- rash on the skin( on the face, trunk, arms, legs);
- possible nonsense, impaired consciousness;
- intestinal dysfunction, etc.
The incubation period for measles infection continues in adults 1-3 weeks. In a typical course of the disease, three consecutive stages can be identified: catarrhal, the stage of rash and convalescence.
- Catarrhal period( initial) .Measles are commonly associated with characteristic skin rashes. But the first symptoms of the disease that appear after the expiration of the incubation period are simple manifestations of a cold: a significant fever, cough, runny nose, asthenic syndrome. At this point, you can suspect yourself in ARI or ARVI, but the characteristic signs in the form of rashes on the skin will allow you to put the right diagnosis.
- The stage of formation of rashes .On the fifth day, rashes appear on the skin of a person. They spread from the top down - first the rash appears on the face, behind the ears, on the scalp, then goes over to the trunk and hands, then spreads to the legs. Measles manifests as a typical abundant bright red rash in the form of spots that tend to merge. The rash rests on the skin for 1 - 1.5 weeks and is spotty-papular. The pigmentation that appears on the site of the rash also has a descending character, that is, it appears in the direction from the head to the legs.
- The stage of convalescence .Starting from the fifth day after the appearance of a red rash, the disease regresses, and the person begins to recover. Gradually decreases to a normal level of temperature, exfoliates the rash. It is worth remembering that skin manifestations can disappear slowly within two weeks, while during this period of illness a person is no longer infectious.
In adults, measles disease is particularly difficult. Often the main disease is pneumonia and bacterial complications. Sometimes a consequence of the disease can be blindness and a significant deterioration in hearing.
One of the most dangerous complications of measles is viral meningoencephalitis( inflammation of the meninges), leading to a fatal outcome in 40% of cases. The measles virus strongly suppresses the immunity of an adult, resulting in worsening of chronic diseases and acquiring new ones.
Atypical course of measles
There is a typical and atypical measles current. A typical clinical picture was described above. Atypical course is as follows:
- Rubbed( mitigated) measles form .It takes place in a very mild form and happens with the introduction of gamma globulin or immediately after vaccination against measles.
- The hemorrhagic form of is accompanied by multiple hemorrhages, bloody stools and urine. The patient often dies of bleeding. With timely hospitalization and intensive care, the outcome can be conditionally favorable.
- Hypertensive .It is observed with increased intoxication. The patient can have a very high non-knocked down temperature, signs of meningoencephalitis, heart failure and other symptoms. This form requires immediate hospitalization.
Complications most often occur in adults with low immunity and in the elderly.
Measles in adults: photo
How does this ailment in the photo look like, we offer detailed photos for viewing.
Treatment of measles in adults
Immediately specify - a specific treatment that would fight the measles virus, simply does not exist in nature. Therefore, treatment of measles in adults is symptomatic - it involves preventing the development of complications, alleviating the patient's condition - that is, the doctor is guided by the symptoms, and struggles with them.
Usually, measles are treated at home. The doctor will visit you periodically during this period and monitor the course of the disease. He will prescribe you the necessary medications, recommend eating well and drinking plenty of fluids, and taking vitamins A and C.
Treatment in the infectious disease department of the hospital is required in such cases:
- when serious complications arise;
- severe course of the disease, severe poisoning of the body( intoxication);
- it is impossible to isolate the patient from other members of the collective( in a boarding school or in the army).
At home, if the patient has a body temperature of more than 38.5 degrees, antipyretic drugs are prescribed:
- paracetamol;
- ibuprofen;
- and buccin.
Antiviral drugs are prescribed:
- cycloferon;
- kagocel;
- Ingavirin.
With a cold, vasoconstrictive agents are prescribed:
- rhinonorm;
- Vibration;
- tizin.
For the removal of inflammation in the nasopharynx apply:
- miramistin;
- inhalipt;
- rinsing with chamomile, sage, calendula.
Antibiotic therapy is prescribed only with the development of bacterial complications( for example, with pneumonia, otitis).
Experts advise not to risk, monitor their health, develop immunity, make vaccinations on time, and if they become ill - immediately consult a specialist for help and in no case do self-medication.
Prevention
Unequivocally, the most important method of prevention is vaccination. Vaccination of adults against measles is necessary, but it is better if the vaccine is made in childhood - at 1 year, and at 6 years. But if this procedure is not carried out on time, there is no reason for the disorder. Vaccination of measles in adults is also carried out in two stages with a break of three months.
In this case, the most frequent complications of measles vaccination in adults are :
- temperature rise on days 5-15( sometimes up to 40 degrees), which lasts up to four days. It can be brought down by febrifugal agents, for example, paracetamol.
- in addition to temperature can be disturbed by rhinitis, cough, a slight rash.
Adults who did not get measles and did not receive vaccinations should pay special attention to the symptoms from which the development of the disease begins( and the first symptoms are very similar to the common cold) and never delay with the appointment of a doctor and begin appropriate treatment.