Alternatives names of Measles :: Rrubeola, German measles
What are measles ?
Measles, also called rubeola, is best known for its typical skin rash. It is, however, primarily a respiratory infection. Measles, a highly infectious disease, is very common in childhood. It is so common at this stage of life that nearly all children everywhere in the world go through this brief period of red spots. The disease appears in epidemic form, often in the winter season.
Measles Symptoms
The first symptoms which appear during 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus are feverishness, cold, watering of the eyes and dry cough. Rashes appear on the skin in three to five days after the onset of these symptoms. These rashes, which consist of small rounded spots with reddened skin in between, initially appear on the sides of the face and the neck and then gradually spread all over the body, appearing last on the extremities. Initially pink in color, these rashes grow darker as time passes.
Measles is usually accompanied with slight fever and diarrhea. In rare cases of great severity, high fever and delirium may occur. Complication which can arise from this disease include pneumonia, bronchitis, and ear abscess. One serious but rare complication is the inflammation of the brain. Common symptoms of measles inculdes :-
- Red eyes
- Cough
- Skin rash
- High Fever.
- Red spots inside cheeks.
- Conjunctivitis.
Measles Causes
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, caused by a virus. The measles virus is so infectious that in cities, children catch this disease before they reach the age of five years. Mothers generally pass their antibodies to their children which immunize them passively. This protection, however, does not last beyond the sixth month. Measles is easily transmitted in the early stages through the invisible droplets of moisture which are discharged from a patient’s nose or mouth when he coughs or sneezes.
The real cause of this disease, like other diseases of childhood is however, wrong feeding and unhygienic living conditions. Measles is thus a natural healing crisis aimed at cleansing the infant organism of the toxins and deleterious products resulting from the assimilation of the excesses of starchy and sugary foods consumed by young children today.
Home Remedies for the Measles Treatment
1. Oranges
Oranges are very valuable in measles, as the digestive power of the body is seriously hampered. The patient suffers from intense toxemia, and the lack of saliva coats his tongue and often destroys his thirst for water as well as his desire for food. The agreeable flavor of orange juice helps greatly in overcoming these drawbacks. Orange juice is the ideal liquid food for measles disease.
2. Lemon
The juice of lemon also makes an effective thirst quenching drink in measles. About 15 to 25 ml of lemon juice, diluted with water, should be taken for treating measles.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric is beneficial in the treatment of measles. Raw roots of turmeric should be dried in the sun and ground to a fine powder. Half a teaspoon of this powder, mixed with a few drops of honey and the juice of a few bitter gourd leaves, should be given to patients suffering from measles.
4. Liquorice
Powdered liquorices has been found valuable in relieving the cough, which is typical in measles. The child patient should be given half a teaspoon of powdered liquorices mixed with the same quantity of honey.
5. Barley
The use of barley water has proved beneficial for the troublesome cough in measles. This water should be taken frequently, sweetened with the newly-drawn oil of sweet almonds.
6. Eggplant
The seeds of the eggplant are a stimulant. Intake of half to one gram of these seeds daily for three days will help develop immunity against measles for one year.
Prevention tips
The child should be kept in a well ventilated room. As light has a detrimental effect upon the eyes during measles because of the weakened condition of the external eye tissues, the child should have his eyes shaded or the room should have subdued light.
The treatment should aim at bringing down the temperature and eliminating the toxins from the system. This can be achieved by administration of a warm water enema every morning, application of mud packs on the abdomen twice a day in the morning and evening, and repeated application of chest packs. Lukewarm water baths can be given every day to ease itching. Addition of extracts of neem leaves to this water will prove beneficial.
Children having measles should not be allowed to mix with others so as to avoid passing on the infection to them. In fact, they should take complete rest. Hygienic conditions, along with the above-mentioned treatment, will lead to a speedy recovery. Medication should be strictly avoided.
Useful References