Dr Badenhorst shares that the virus can also spread in the following ways: • Sharing food or drinks. • Touching contaminated surfaces, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. • Physical contact, such as handshakes, hugs, kissing, or holding hands. • Transmission from a pregnant person to their baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. SPOTTING KEY SYMPTOMS “Measles causes a red, blotchy rash that usually first appears on the face and behind the ears, spreading downward to the chest and back and finally to the feet,” explains Dr Badenhorst. She adds that symptoms appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and typically include: • Fever • Dry cough • Runny nose • Sore throat • Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) • Tiny white spots found inside the mouth called Koplik’s spots • A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another Measles progresses in three stages over two to three weeks, Dr Badenhorst continues. First is the incubation stage (10 to 14 days), where the virus spreads silently without symptoms. This is followed by nonspecific symptoms like mild fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and inflamed eyes, lasting two to three days. Finally, the acute stage features a distinctive red rash, starting on the face and spreading, with spots clustering to create a splotchy appearance. “The measles rash starts on the face and spreads down the arms, chest, back, thighs, legs, and feet over a few days,” she says. “During this time, the fever can spike sharply, reaching 40-41°C.” The rash typically lasts about seven days, fading gradually – from the face first and the thighs and feet last. “Even as other symptoms subside, the cough and darkened or peeling skin at the rash sites can linger for around 10 days,” she adds. POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS Measles typically causes fever, rash, cough, and watery eyes, but it can lead to serious complications, warns Dr Badenhorst. Infants, toddlers, pregnant women, adults over 20, and immunocompromised individuals are most at risk, she says. Other complications include: • Pneumonia – the leading cause of measles-related deaths. • Encephalitis – brain inflammation that may cause permanent damage. • Ear infections – which can result in hearing loss. • Diarrhoea – increasing dehydration risks. • Pregnancy complications – like preterm delivery or low birth weight. “These risks highlight the vital role of vaccination and timely medical care,” Dr Badenhorst stresses. CONTENTS | 33 BETTER CHILD
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