GERMAN MEASLES this, too, is a virus disease which begins
with cold like symptoms, a little fever, and sore throat. Then comes the rash
in the form of rosy colored spots that spread over the entire body. At first
the rash looks like a measles rash, then like scarlet fever. The lymph nodes
behind the ears and in the neck become swollen. German measles is contagious.
The rash lasts about two or three days. In children, the disease is usually
mild, without complications. The real threat comes when an expectant mother
develops it early in pregnancy. Then, there is serious risk that her child will
be born deformed. If a pregnant woman, especially in the early months of
pregnancy, who has not had German measles is exposed to the disease, this
becomes an emergency. She should notify her doctor at once; he may advise
immediate injections of gamma globulin in the hope it may increase her
resistance to the disease. Fortunately, another significant advance in
preventive medicine is the development of a vaccine effective in providing
immunity to German measles.
MUMPS
Mumps, a virus
disease, leads to swelling of the parotid gland beneath the ear. This is a
gland that secretes saliva. The virus may attack the gland on one side of the
face first, then sometimes the gland on the other. Less often, other salivary
glands under the jaw may be affected. In
males, mumps can be a painful illness because it can attack. Although painful,
mumps involving the testicles rarely loth!!. III sterility or impotence, so the
fear of that is generally unwarranted, if the father or any young male in the
household lot had mumps, he should consult his doctor about protective. If
mumps vaccine is given in time, it can usually prevent the illnesses.
Second attacks of
mumps are possible, but the first occurrence always gives lifelong immunity. If
your doctor decides whether the illness is mumps and not some other disease, or
may imitate it. For example, an infection of lymph by bacteria may look like
mumps, but the treatment is quite different. Mumps is treated by bed rest until
fever and swelling have cleared.
CHICKEN POX
Chickenpox is a virus disease, a very highly contagious one
and there- fore very common. First, pimples appear, usually starting on the
chest. The pimples become blisters which dry into scabs. The main danger is
that the blisters itch and may become infected by scratching. To ease the
child's itching, place him in a cold starch bath. There should be two handfuls
of starch in the tub. Because you will be unable to prevent a certain amount of
scratching, keep your child's hands clean by washing them several times a day,
and keep his nails cut short. The scabs are not infectious. Call the doctor if
the child appears really sick or has a fever.
This is mainly a precaution to rule out smallpox or other
serious diseases. Most cases of chickenpox are mild and require no special
treatment except bed rest and plenty of fluids during the feverish stage. The
child should remain in bed during the acute period and away from other children
until about a week after the blisters first appear. Once the scabs are gone, it
is not necessary to isolate him.
