What is the safe medicine for measles in babies? this is the explanation

Children with measles is one of the parents' concerns. In 2010, Indonesia was the country with the third highest incidence rate in Southeast Asia. The World Health Organization reported as many as 6300 confirmed cases of Morbili in Indonesia throughout 2013. In the medical world, measles is called rubeola or morbili, a disease caused by the Measles virus. So, measles is not caused by bacteria. How to treat measles in babies? Is there any medicine for measles in babies? Here's the explanation.

What is measles?

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, measles is caused by a paramyxovirus virus which is transmitted through air and direct contact. Measles is a disease that is transmitted through the air through breathing, coughing, or sneezing.

It is rather difficult to detect this disease in the early phase, because the initial symptoms are similar to the common cold, such as cough, runny nose, and fever.

However, if you pay close attention, there are differences that lead to the diagnosis of measles, namely if the child has a fever with conjunctivitis or red and watery eyes. The cause of the rash in babies is fever which appears on the 4th day of fever, that is, after 10 days the germs enter and multiply in the body.

The principle of treating children with measles is supportive therapy. This is done considering the disease is caused by a virus that is self limiting disease or it can heal on its own.

However, we must be able to control the development of the virus in the child's body so that it does not spread to other vital organs, such as the brain and lungs. Here are the steps and medications that need to be given if measles occurs in babies.

Measles medicine in babies

There is no specific drug to treat measles in infants and adults. this is because measles is caused by a virus that is not sensitive to antibiotics, unlike a bacterial infection.

The virus and symptoms will go away within two weeks and during that time, parents can reduce the severity of measles in babies. Here's how to treat measles in babies.

Don't forget immunization as a way to treat measles in babies

Should children be immunized? It is necessary. One way to treat measles in babies is by giving vaccinations.

However, based on the 2007 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey data, the coverage of measles immunization in children under 6 years of age in Indonesia is still relatively low (72.8 percent). This is compared to other countries in Southeast Asia which have reached 84 percent.

In addition, measles immunization is only effective in providing protection against the virus if repeated, namely at the age of 9 months later at school age. Therefore, it is very important to give immunization as a measles medicine in babies. Immunizations are easily obtained at posyandu, puskesmas, or hospitals.

Enough rest

Advise your little one to get enough rest. Meanwhile, reduce physical activity and play. Enough sleep time of 8-10 hours can restore the immune system which functions to fight viruses that reproduce in the body

Consumption of protein as a measles medicine in infants

It is very important to boost the immune system, so that babies can fight viruses and bacteria that attack the body. You can give an immune protein vitamin called immunoglobulin which can be taken six days after experiencing measles symptoms.

Limit contact

Because it is very infectious and easily transmitted through the air, children with measles should limit their contact with other people. If your little one is already in school, it's good to ask permission to rest at home, so as not to spread measles to his friends.

Also, temporarily separate children with measles from their siblings, especially if you have babies who have not received the measles vaccine.

For vulnerable family members / contacts, measles vaccine can be given to infants or human immunoglobulin for prevention. It is also a good idea for the child to be given a mask to limit transmission through coughing or sneezing.

Dos and don'ts

Despite their contagious nature, most infected patients recover on their own. The consumption of nutritious foods plays an important role in supportive therapy.

Eat 4 healthy 5 perfect foods, by increasing the portions of vegetables and fruits that contain lots of vitamins. Although children sometimes have difficulty eating, measles irritates the esophagus.

You can outsmart by giving food with small portions but often. Avoid fried and cold foods for a while, so that the measles medicine in babies can work more optimally.

Take vitamin A supplements

Can vitamin A supplements be said to cure measles in babies? The little one who gets measles, his body tends to be deficient in vitamin A.

Vitamin A is important for child development. Usually, doctors will immediately provide additional vitamin A supplements to increase the baby's immune system to be stronger.

The dose of vitamin A given to your little one is:

• Infants younger than 6 months 50,000 IU / day PO are given 2 doses.
• Age 6-11 months 100,000 IU / day PO 2 doses.
• Age over 1 year 200,000 IU / day PO 2 doses.
• Children with signs of vitamin A deficiency, the first 2 doses are according to age, followed by a third age-appropriate dose given 2-4 weeks later.

The dosage above is given by the doctor after consultation. So, you should first consult with your doctor so that the handling of measles in babies is more appropriate.

Keep clean, don't be afraid to take a shower

Many mothers worry that bathing a child who has measles will make the rash on the skin worse. In fact, this assumption is wrong.

The patches of skin on measles are so itchy that children usually scratch them, it can even make babies have to take special medicines to treat skin problems.

This scratching will actually make the spotting worse and lead to secondary infection. The spots can turn into sores that can drain pus. After the child is not hot, you can bathe the little one, to reduce itching and provide comfort.

Use a baby soap that doesn't irritate the skin. If the mother is still worried, at least wipe the child's body with a wet towel and then after bathing, apply salicil talc powder to reduce itching.

In addition, during illness and recovery, prepare special personal utensils for your little one including towels and cutlery such as plates, spoons, forks and glasses. This is to avoid transmission through indirect contact

Avoid dehydration

The high fever experienced by children when they have measles depletes the body's fluids and electrolytes. Give enough drinking to maintain body fluids and replace lost fluids if the child also experiences vomiting and diarrhea during measles.

Consult a doctor immediately

Although most measles does not cause death, there are a few that lead to complications. Morbili virus in the body can spread to all parts of the body through blood vessels. If it attacks digestion, the child will vomit and have severe diarrhea.

The most worrying thing is a complication to the lungs in the form of pneumonia. The child will have difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Another fatal complication is encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain which causes the child to have seizures and experience loss of consciousness.

Therefore, consulting a doctor from the start can prevent children from experiencing these complications. Usually the doctor will give antibiotics if there is a secondary infection.

Not to forget, give fever-reducing drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen which can treat fever as an early symptom of measles in babies. In addition, vitamin A supplementation is also able to speed up the duration of illness.

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