There are three distinctly different types of measles which we are going to detail for you separately.

We are going to tell you what the prognosis is, what the symptoms are, what preventative measures to take and then we are going to give you some really cool natural help for soothing the symptoms of measles.

Baby Measles or Roseola.

This is caused by a virus and normally attacks kids between the age of 6 to 12 month.

Prognosis

Roseola will typically act out with several days of a high fever after which the rash then makes its appearance, very often starting behind the ears and then spreading to the back and chest areas. The spots will last for about 3 days and will then disappear.

Prevention

Avoidance is the best prevention. If you know there are kids at your childs' school that have Roseola, then rather take your kid out of school.

Also try and keep a balance here, you can't take them out of school for every little thing, so trust your judgement and if you think you are been overly protective ask your best most truthful friend's advice.

Symptoms

The first symptom is the fever, keep an eye on this, but take baby to the Doctor if the fever gets too high. Scroll down to see the temperature levels you should be looking out for.

Treatment

Page down to see some helpful natural tips on soothing the symptoms of Roseola.

German Measles also known as Rubella.

This is a highly contageous viral illness caused by the rubella virus and its primary medical danger is to pregnant women. If you have the slightest suspicion that your kid has rubella..... is heading for rubella, or has been exposed to an infectious person then take your child out of school and keep him or her isolated at home until the danger is past.

Prognosis

Rubella is generally a mild disease in children and is often referred to as the 3 day measles.

Prevention

Rubella can be prevented with a vaccination called an MMR vaccination which is an immunization against measles, mumps and rubella.

Symptoms

Rubella is an infection that affects the skin and lymph nodes,The rubella rash usually lasts 3 days. Lymph nodes may remain swollen for a week or more, and joint pain can last for more than 2 weeks. Children who have rubella usually recover within 1 week, but adults may take longer.

Treatment

Rubella cannot be treated with antibiotics because antibiotics do not work against viral infections. Unless there are complications, rubella will resolve on its own.

Monitor your child's temperature and call the doctor if the fever climbs too high.

WARNING:

Rubella is highly dangerous for pregnant woman

Plain old fashioned Measles or as it is known in medical terms - Rubeola.

This is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory tract, eyes and skin. This must not be confused with german measles, it is not the same disease and is caused by a different virus namely the paramyxovirus.

If the child is properly vacinated it is extremely rare that they will contract rubeola.

Prognosis

• Once a child or even an adult has been exposed to the paramyxovirus it will take about 7 to 10 days for this virus to incubate which is when the symptoms will start emerging.
  
  
• Once the characteristic rash appears the child will still be contagious until the rash is gone.
  
  
• The individual is contagious 2 to 4 days before the rash appears and remains contagious until the rash disappears.
  
  
• If you have had rubeola once, you can accept that as a life time vaccination, and that you will never get it again.
  
  
  

Prevention

• Prevention is very simple - ensure that your child is immunized with an MMR vacination.
  
  
• The first vacination should be round about a year and then it is recommended to have one again before entering school i.e. 4 to 5 years of age.
  
  
• An MMR vacination is not only for measles, but also for german measles as well as mumps.
  
  
• The first symptoms include a fever, cough , sneezing, runny nose and red eyes that may be sensitive to light.
  
  
•  Several days later, tiny red spots with white centers appear in the mouth and throat, the throat becomes sore and a raised red rash erupts on the front of the head and ears.
  
  
• This rash will then spread to all parts of the body over a period of 5 to 7 days.
  
  
  

Treatment

Treatment will be based purely on soothing the symptoms. See natural help for the symptoms of measles below.

When should I take My child to a Doctor?

You must see the doctor if your child develops a fever of 102° F (38.9° C) or above.

If you have a baby younger that 6 months then see the Doctor if the fever is above 100.4 deg F or 38 deg C.

There is such a fine line between being overprotective and concerned, and the trigger should always be you, and what your maternal or paternal instincts are telling you .

Natural help for the Symptoms of Measles

• First check out our information on preparing herbs and then make an infusion using catnip leaves and flowers which are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to relieve colds and fevers.
  
  
• To help relieve coughing see lemon juice home remedies and healing with honey, remember though, never to give honey to a child under the age of one.
  
  
• To help with the itching put a half cup of baking soda in the bath filled with lukewarm water, soak the child in the bath until the itching diminishes.
  
  
• The  patient needs plenty of fluids; these can include fruit juices rich in Vitamin C which helps to maintain the immune system.
  
  
• A special diet will not cure this viral infection, but foods that supply vitamin A, such as eggs and most dairy products, can restore levels depleted by the disease.
  
  
• Keep the child rested in a dim dark room until the rash has disappeared. Sorry, but absolutely no TV or reading until the symptoms have all disappeared.
  
  
• And in closing an interesting African Home Remedy is that the fruit of the Boabab tree is mashed into a pulp and is used to guard against smallpox and measles.
  
  

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