Measles: Definition and Assessment

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Preventative Measures and Intervention
Nursing Diagnosis
Evaluation
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Measles is a contagious respiratory disease characterized by symptoms similar to flu. It can be very dangerous for children under five years old and adults due to severe complications (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). The first symptoms appear seven or fourteen days after the person has contracted the disorder. These symptoms include runny nose, fever, red eyes, cough, and rash (which appears on the third or fifth day after being infected). Healthcare professionals can diagnose measles based on the signs mentioned above, as well as the so-called, Koplik spots in the patient’s mouth. These spots become apparent two or three days after the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease. Blood and urine tests, as well as a throat swab, are also utilized to diagnose measles.

Preventative Measures and Intervention

The primary preventive measure for measles is an immunization that is held in the vast majority of countries. Mass immunization has become a solution that made it possible to almost eliminate the disease in countries where the rate of vaccinated people is high (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). In the USA, approximately 90% of children receive the vaccine, so there are only a few cases of measles (usually brought from abroad) that take place in this country. The mass use of the vaccine, which is cheap, started in the middle of the twentieth century and proved its effectiveness worldwide.

As far as treatment is concerned, there is no exact antiviral intervention to treat the disease, but there exist some measures to ease the symptoms. Healthcare professionals’ interventions include the prescription of antibiotics that can be employed to treat such complications as pneumonia, eye, or ear infection (WHO, 2019). Vitamin A supplements are also necessary for children with measles to ensure appropriate nourishment. Supportive care that should be given by parents includes proper nutrition and fluid intake, as well as addressing dehydration if it occurs (due to vomiting or diarrhea).

Nursing Diagnosis

Since measles is a highly contagious disease, nursing diagnosis includes impaired social interaction, high-risk infection, acute pain, and impaired skin integrity. It is essential to ensure the patient’s isolation so that they could not infect others, especially when it comes to unvaccinated people. Acute pain related to skin issues, as well as skin integrity problems, are some of the major aspects to take into account. It is critical to make sure that the skin is dry and intact while mucous membranes are moist. The corresponding medication can be prescribed to soothe unpleasant symptoms (addressing skin and mucous issues, as well as flu-like symptoms). Parents should explain all symptoms and ways to treat them to their children. The mental health of the patient should also be considered, as isolation can bring considerable discomfort to children. Parents should make sure that their child feels comfortable and is not anxious or depressed (that can be quite common due to isolation).

As mentioned above, there is no particular treatment for the infection, so it is necessary to give the patient’s immune system time to deal with measles. This means that the immune system will produce antibodies that contribute to the clearance of the virus and further protection from contracting the disorder in the future. It is noteworthy that vaccination is pivotal as it is a way to prevent infection and avoid associated inconveniences and risks.

Evaluation

The disease can last for up to several weeks, although this period depends on various factors (immune system peculiarities, lifestyle, living conditions, diet, and so on). The course of the disease is largely divided into four major parts, including the incubation period, the flu-like symptoms stage, the rash stage, and the recovery phase. The incubation period can last a week or up to twelve days and is characterized by no symptoms. The first symptom is a fever that gradually increases, and the first spots appear at the highest fever levels. The second period lasts for two or four days and is characterized by cough, runny nose, headaches, fatigue, and red eyes. Approximately on the fifth day after the onset of the first symptoms, the rash appears, marking the third phase. Four or five days later, the fourth stage (recovery) starts as the rash subsides. Approximately on the tenth to the fourteenth day after the appearance of the rash, the patient recovers completely. A person who had measles does not get infected as antibodies remain for a lifetime.

Conclusion

To sum up, measles is a preventable illness that tends to have quite mild flu-like symptoms. However, it may have numerous serious complications, so mass vaccination is important. In the United States, the rate of vaccinated people is approximately 90%, which makes the spread of the disease impossible. However, in some developing countries, these rates are much lower, which leads to serious issues for public health. The disease has flu-like symptoms and rash that last for about two weeks if no complications develop. If a person had measles or was vaccinated following the vaccination plan, they develop a strong immunity to measles.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Signs and symptoms.

World Health Organization. (2019). Measles.

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Measles: Definition and Assessment

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