Duty of Care

Information Sheet - Measles

What is it?

Measles is a very severe, highly contagious viral disease. It is characterised by a high fever, and a distinctive rash. The illness can be very acute and complications can include ear infections, convulsions due to the fever (febrile convulsions), pneumonia, conjunctivitis and occasionally more serious eye problems. The heart and nervous system may also be affected. Measles can be fatal or lead to continuing disability, so prevention is much the best option, as no cure yet exists.

What causes it?

Anyone can have the measles but it mainly affects young children. The virus is transmitted in tiny airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes of infected people. It is contagious for 1-2 days before the rash appears and for about 5 days afterwards

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms are usually very clear. Nearly all the following occur, usually in this order:

 A mild to severe temperature of around 39 degrees (102.2F)  Tiredness and general fatigue  Poor appetite  Irritable dry cough  Conjunctivitis  Running nose and sneezing  Tiny white spots in the mouth and throat  A red blotchy rash (around the third day of illness) that starts behind the ears, spreads to the face and then the rest of the body and lasts up to seven days

What can be done to help?

The local GP should be able to confirm measles from the combination of symptoms but the Public Health Laboratory Service is needed to confirm cases.

In most cases rest and simple measures to reduce a fever are all that is required to make a full recovery. Antibiotics may be prescribed if a bacterial infection develops.

Once the rash begins the following treatment is recommended:

 Check the person’s temperature regularly – if it becomes too high ring your doctor immediately  Use paracetamol for fever and aches and pains  Reduce sunlight or electric lights to help with light sensitivity  Use cooled boiled water and cotton wool to cope with conjunctivitis  Try placing a bowl of water in the room to help dry coughs  Avoid dehydration.  Try one teaspoon of lemon juice and two teaspoons of honey in a glass of warm water.  Keep your child/patient away from others for at least 7 days after the onset of the rash

Guidelines for Prince’s Trust staff and those responsible for delivering Trust Programmes

It is essential that anyone with suspected measles does not report for work until a diagnosis has been made. If the result is positive they must stay away until their doctor confirms that it is safe for them to return.

Measles can be prevented. A measles vaccine is now available either as a single preparation or combined with the mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). This injection is recommended for all children. It is administered in two doses. The first when the child is 12-15 months, and the second not less than 28 days later. Occasionally the child will develop a fever and rash but these are simply treated with paracetomol and should not last more than 1- 2 days.

All children, if they are not immunised, are particularly susceptible to measles and the dangers that it carries.

People with severe allergies to gelatin or neomycin, or who have had a severe allergic reaction to a prior dose of the MMR (that is, hives, swelling of the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing etc) should not be vaccinated unless with extreme caution.

Women known to be pregnant should not receive the MMR vaccine. Pregnancy should be avoided for one month following the MMR or other rubella containing vaccines.

People who have suppressed immunisation systems (e.g. the HIV virus, leukaemia, lymphoma, or who are receiving therapy for cancer etc) should consult.

Working Conditions

All companies and organisations including The Trust have a legal duty to look after the health and safety of not only their staff but the young people they train too. They can only do this properly if they are made aware of any potential risks posed to individuals. It is essential that anyone with suspected measles does not report for work until a diagnosis has been made. If the result is positive they must stay away until their doctor confirms that it is safe for them to return.

Where can I get more information? Medinfo.co.uk www.medinfio.co.uk/conditions/measles.html Netdoctor.co.uk www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/measles.htm