Symptoms of measles

The incubation period of measles on average 8-10 days, can extend up to 17 days.

In children who received immunoglobulin for prophylactic purposes, the incubation period is extended to 21 days. In the clinical picture of measles, there are three periods: catarrhal (prodromal), rashes and pigmentation.

The onset of the disease (catarrhal period) is manifested by an increase in the body temperature to 38.5-39 ° C, the appearance of catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and conjunctivitis.They are noted for photophobia, conjunctival hyperemia, eyelid edema, scleritis, then there is a purulent discharge.Often at the beginning of the illness, liquid stool , pain in the abdomen.In more severe cases, from the first days of the disease the symptoms of general intoxication are sharply expressed, there may be convulsions and confusion of consciousness.

Catarrhal period of measles lasts 3-4 days, sometimes prolongs to 5 and even up to 7 days. For this period, measles pathognomonic peculiar changes on the mucosa of the cheeks in the molars, less often on the mucous membrane of the lips and gums in the form of grayish-whitish points the size of the poppy seed, surrounded by a red halo. The mucous membrane becomes loose, rough, hyperemic, dull. This symptom is known as the spots of Filatov-Koplik. They appear 1-3 days before the rash, which helps to establish a diagnosis of measles before the onset of rash and differentiate catarrhal phenomena in a prolonged catarrh of the upper respiratory tract of another etiology.

In the catarrhal period of measles appears enanthema in the form of small pinkish-red spots on the soft and hard palate.

The rash of maculopapular rash begins on the 4th-5th day of the disease. The first elements of the rash appear behind the ears, on the back of the nose in the form of small pink spots, which increase very quickly, sometimes merge, have an irregular shape. The number of elements of the rash increases very rapidly:

• 1 day (towards the end) - the rash covers the entire face, neck, and its individual elements appear on the chest and upper back;
• 2 days - the rash completely covers the trunk and upper part of the hands;
• 3 days - the rash spreads to the legs and hands.

Stages of rash are a very important diagnostic sign of measles. Rash at measles evenly covers both the external and internal surfaces of the hands and feet and is located on the unchanged background of the skin. Sometimes a rash is hemorrhagic. It can be very abundant, draining or, conversely, very meager, in the form of separate elements.

The type of measles sick in the period of rash is typical: the face is puffy, the eyelids are thickened, the nose and upper lip are edematous, the eyes are red, suppurating, and a profuse discharge from the nose.

Body temperature on the 1st day of the rash is higher than in the catarrhal period. Sometimes 1-2 days before the rash, it decreases slightly, and again rises in 1 day of rash. The body temperature keeps high throughout the rash. In uncomplicated course, it normalizes to 3-4 days from the onset of the rash.

Period of pigmentation of measles. The measles rash starts to darken very quickly, it starts to burn, then it turns brown, the pigmentation period begins. The rash is pigmented first of all on the face, while on the limbs and torso it remains red, then pigmented on the trunk and on the limbs, i.e. Pigmentation is in the same sequence as the rash. Pigmentation usually lasts 1-1.5 weeks, sometimes longer. During this period, there may be a small, otteriform scaling. During the pigmentation period, the body temperature is normalized. The general condition is slowly restored. Catarrhal phenomena gradually disappear. During the period of convalescence, measles persist for a long time, asthenia and anergy (decreased immunity).

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