Measles symptoms warning - hidden sign of the infectious disease in your eyes

24 January 2024 , 11:20

700     0

A ‘national health incident’ has been declared amid surging measles cases (Image: Getty Images)

As measles cases surge across the country, parents will be taking extra precaution to make sure their little ones are protected against severe symptoms. But while some signs of the infection are fairly noticeable - including initial cold and flu-like symptoms, as well as a distinct, red blotchy rash - others can be easy to miss.

Measles is known to be one of the most contagious viral diseases, belonging to the same family of viruses as mumps. For children, it is an unpleasant and potentially severe disease that starts with cold and flu-like symptoms, before developing into a rash. The NHS says receiving the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it.

Anyone can catch measles if they haven't been vaccinated or had it before. It can be more severe in immunosuppressed individuals, young infants, and pregnant people. In total, the illness typically lasts from seven to 10 days.

In some cases, you might notice your child has small white spots inside the mouth, on the cheeks, and the back of the lips. Like the body rash, these spots usually last a few days.

In more severe cases, the measles virus can lead to various complications if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain. This can cause further, more serious problems, inclduing pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures (fits). While these problems are rare, some people are more at risk, such as babies and people with weakened immune systems.

'Chickenpox vaccine plan is overwhelmingly supported by parents for their kids'

But many people are unaware that measles can also affect the eyes. Red, blotchy eyes, otherwise known as conjunctivitis is a lesser-known symptom of the virus. Conjunctivitis causes inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin layer of tissue covering the front of the eye. It is also known as 'red eye' due to its inflamed nature.

The condition usually impacts both eyes and treatment depends on the cause. It usually clears up within a few weeks.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently declared a ‘national health incident’ amid surging measles cases, with latest figures suggesting that more than 3.4million children have not had their MMR jab. In the West Midlands, measles cases are currently at their highest level since the mid-1990s.

Labour's Shadow Health Minister Karin Smyth said allowing health visitors to administer the jab would “make a big difference in countering the measles outbreak and preventing it from worsening", urging the government to let health visitors administer vaccines during home visits.

According to the NHS, the best way to prevent the disease it to get the MMR vaccine.

Zahra Khaliq