One of the more common viral infections that an individual can contract is measles, which is a serious condition that can bring with it a wide range of symptoms like a rash, inflamed eyes, and a runny nose. This is also a very infectious condition, which is why it’s important that your child receives a vaccination for it as early as possible. Whether you’re expecting a child at the moment or already have children and simply don’t know a lot about this disease, you should be aware of what it is and what it entails so that you can take the necessary steps to ensure your children don’t become infected by it.
1. Measles Spreads Like Wildfire
Measles is among the most contagious viruses currently known by researchers at the CDC. This condition can infect up to 90 percent of people who are exposed to the disease and are not currently immunized, which is why an outbreak can so readily occur and can be so dangerous. One of the more problematic aspects of this disease is that an outbreak at a school can be devastating if most of the children there have yet to be vaccinated. While this disease is not deadly in most cases, it can create a range of health issues that make it difficult to lead a normal life until the disease has dissipated.
This virus is spread through droplets that travel in the air whenever an infected individuals sneezes or coughs. It can also be spread by direct contact and through saliva or mucus that has accumulated on toys that are shared between children or cups that the children drink out of. Because of how contagious this virus is, it doesn’t take much for someone in the vicinity of an infected person to also contract the disease. If ever you believe that your child has been infected by this disease, it’s absolutely essential that you don’t take them to a pediatrician’s office immediately. These places are usually crowded and will likely have a large number of other children there who have yet to receive the proper vaccination that protects against this disease.
Before visiting a pediatrician’s office, call ahead to make sure that the office is empty, which the doctor will be able to do in preparation for your visit. The doctor will also have a mask on hand that your child will be able to wear while inside, which should be able to protect any staff from contracting the disease. If the doctor diagnoses your child with this condition, you should keep them at home for at least four days following the initial appearance of the rash. Doing so should prevent the infection from spreading to other people.
