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The symptoms and treatment of measles in adults

Measles refers to a common highly contagious infectious disease, its causative agent is an RNA virus having a specific form. The organism dies quickly outside the human body under the action of disinfectants and physical factors. At the same time, the disease may spread in cold weather for long distances. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. The disease contributes to the formation of persistent immunity, so cases of re-infection are very rare.

The gateway of infection are considered mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, then virus spreads by the bloodstream throughout the body. Zafiksirovany on the internal organs, the virus contributes to the formation of this place of infiltrates with subsequent formation of multinuclear giant cells.


Symptoms of measles in adults

The incubation period for the measles is ongoing in adults, one or two weeks. In a typical course of the disease can be divided in three successive stages: the catarrhal stage of the precipitation and recovery.

Catarrhal period begins with the acute manifestations of the disease. The patient complains of malaise, headache, loss of appetite, loss of sleep. In severe disease the body temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius, the patient is tormented by a dry cough, runny nose with profuse mucous or purulent discharge, when doctors hear wheezing in the lungs, notes hard breathing. Typical symptoms of measles in adults include swollen lymph cervical nodes.

After 3-5 days the fever becomes less pronounced, and the health of the patient improves. But the next day the toxicity again increases and the body temperature of the patient again becomes high. During the re-deterioration of health on the buccal mucosa appear white spots with a reddish border.

Replaced catarrhal period comes the period of rash, it is characterized by the appearance of maculopapular exanthema, the individual spots eventually merge with each other. First a rash appears behind the ears, then covers the scalp, over time it is possible to notice also on the face, neck and chest. Then gradually the rash covers the entire body of the patient, as well as upper and lower limbs. To this period also characterized by the strengthening of the common cold, cough and profuse lacrimation.

In the final period of the disease occurs improving the health of the sick:the patient's temperature returns to normal, are rash.

Treatment of measles in adults

Treatment of measles in adults is most often directed at relief of symptoms. The appearance of bacterial complications can be prescribed antibiotics. Mild forms of pathology does not require hospitalization. Hospital treatment is recommended in severe disease or for epidemiological indications. In any case, patients should comply with bed rest during the symptoms of intoxication.

Patient no need to stick to any particular diet, it is important only to increase the amount of liquid.

Special care during a measles require the mouth and eyes. The patient should be protected from bright sunlight and artificial light, as during the disease often develops photophobia.

Can also be recommended antihistamines, medicines symptomatic of the actions of interferon. In the treatment of measles encephalitis is necessary prednisone and antibiotics. It is important to remember about high risk of development of adult complications, to avoid which will help ongoing monitoring by a specialist.

As a preventive treatment may be recommended vitamin a in high dosages.