Measles Mumps

Measles mumps

        In 60% of cases the recovery is without sequelae. The other children will die or survive at the cost of severe neuropsychiatric sequelae. It is unpredictable and unrelated to the severity of measles. In most cases, its onset is between the 3rd and 7th day of the eruption. The onset is abrupt with fever and various neurological disorders: convulsions, disturbance of consciousness (obtundation or coma), autonomic disturbances, psychiatric disorders (prostration, indifference, agitation, hostility, delusions etc..) Focused neurological disorders (paralysis facial ophthalmoplegia, hemiplegia, aphasia etc..) extrapyramidal disorders (hypertension, tremors etc..), balance disorders (ataxia, nystagmus, etc..). Lymphocytic meningitis is associated. The evolution is very variable. Mortality in the first 10 days is 10 to 15%. The sequelae were observed in one third of cases: emotional disturbances, mental retardation, paralysis, epilepsy, balance disorders, enuresis, precocious puberty etc.

Measles differential diagnosis

        The diagnosis of measles usually poses no problems. Indeed the appearance of Koplik spots and the progression of the characteristic rash from head to foot may complicate the diagnosis. In some cases, however, when doubt exists, the virus can be identified by immunofluorescence method in cells of the pharynx and those contained in the urine where it may develop after culture.

Measles can be confused with:

• A rubella: in this disease, the trend is down and there are usually no systemic symptoms. Finally, there is hypertrophy (increase volume) of lymph nodes behind the ears and the skull base and a fever and a weaker rate of normal white blood cell.
• A scarlet fever: in the case of measles, leukocytosis (elevated white blood cells in the blood) are absent and the eruption is different.
• A rash of drug-induced (allergic to an antibiotic or phenobarbital): when there is a rash caused by allergies or medications, there is no temperature or cough.
• A roseola infantum: the disease is causing a skin rash similar to measles but rarely occurs in children over 3 years. The temperature is initially high and there are no Koplik's spots.