312 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
Prevention of measles:
Children with measles should keep far away from other children, even from brothers
and sisters. Especially try to protect children who are poorly nourished or who have
tuberculosis or other chronic illnesses. Children from other families should not go into
a house where there is measles. If children in a family where there is measles have not
yet had measles themselves, they should not go to school or into stores or other public
places for 10 days.
To prevent measles from killing children, make sure all
children are well-nourished. And have your children
vaccinated against measles.
German Measles
German measles are not as severe as regular measles. They last 3 or 4 days.
The rash is mild. Often the lymph nodes on the back of the head and neck become
swollen and tender. There is often a low fever.
The child should stay in bed and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if necessary.
Women who get German measles in the first 3 months of pregnancy may give birth
to a child with a disability. For this reason, pregnant women who have not yet had
German measles—or are not sure—should keep far away from children who have
this kind of measles. Girls or women who are not pregnant can try to catch German
measles before they get pregnant. A vaccine exists for German measles, but is not
often available.
Mumps
The first symptoms begin 2 or 3 weeks after being exposed
to someone with mumps.
Mumps begin with fever and pain on opening the mouth
or eating. In 2 days, a soft swelling appears below the ears at
the angle of the jaw. Often it comes first on one side, and later
on the other side.
Treatment:
The swelling goes away by itself in about 10 days, without need for medicine.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken for pain and fever. Feed the child soft,
nourishing foods and keep his mouth clean.
Complications:
In adults and children over 11 years of age, after the first
week there may be pain in the belly or a painful swelling of the
testicles in men. Persons with such swelling should stay quiet
and put ice packs or cold wet cloths on the swollen parts to
help reduce the pain and swelling.
If signs of meningitis or hearing problems appear, get
medical help (p. 185).