Use this Chart if the Child has Fever and Generalised Rash WITH Runny Nose or Cough or Red eyes
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Ask
- Has the child been in contact with anyone with measles?
Look
- Look for mouth ulcers
- Are they deep and extensive?
- Look for pus draining from the eye
- Look for clouding of the cornea
Test for Measles
- Take 5 mls of blood for serology and a throat swab for viral isolation
- Send blood specimen on ice—consult EPI co-ordinator or EPI guidelines for details
- Send the throat swab in a packed labeled viral transport tube ensuring that the swab is immersed in the sponge containing the viral transport medium
- Specimens should be collected as soon after onset of rash as possible
NOTE:
If fever is still present after the third day of the rash, a complication should be suspected
Classify for Measles
| Suspect Complicated Measles |
- Any general danger sign
OR
- PNEUMONIA
OR
- Symptomatic HIV infection
OR
- Clouding of cornea
OR
- Deep or extensive mouth ulcers
|
- Give additional dose Vitamin A
- If clouding of the cornea or pus draining from the eye, apply chloramphenicol eye ointment
- Give first dose of amoxicillin unless child is receiving IM ceftriaxone for another reason
- REFER URGENTLY
- Immunise all close contacts within 72 hours of exposure (a close contact is defined as who has been in the same room or vehicle as the child with measles)
|
| Measles |
- Measles symptoms present
AND
- Measles test positive
|
- Give additional doses Vitamin A
- If pus draining from the eye, treat eye infection with chloramphenicol eye ointment for 7 days
- If mouth ulcers, treat with chlorhexidine
- Notify EPI coordinator, and complete necessary forms
- Isolate the child from other children for 5 days
- Immunise all close contacts within 72 hours of exposure (a close contact is defined as who has been in the same room or vehicle as the child with measles)
- Follow up in 2 days
|
| Suspected Measles |
- Measles test results not available
AND
- Measles symptoms present
|
- Give additional doses Vitamin A
- Notify EPI coordinator, and complete necessary forms
- Take specimens as advised by EPI coordinator, and send these to the NICD.
- Isolate the child from other children for 5 days
- Immunise all close contacts within 72 hours of exposure (a close contact is defined as who has been in the same room or vehicle as the child with measles)
- Follow up in 2 days
|
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness 2022; Child (Age 2 months up to 5 years); Assess, Classify and Identify Treatment; Measles
Last checked for updates: June 2023