A-Z Family health conditions - M

Measles
Meningitis
Morning sickness

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What is measles?

Measles is caused by a highly infectious virus, which is spread by airborne droplets coughed or sneezed by an infected person. It mainly affects babies under the age of one, when they are too young to be vaccinated, and adolescents who have not been vaccinated. Infants less than eight months old are rarely affected because they have acquired some immunity from their mothers.

When is he infectious?

It takes between eight to 14 days for symptoms to appear. He will be infectious for four days after the rash comes out. The rash will start to fade after three days.

How can I tell if my child has measles?

Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough. And your child may feel generally unwell. You may notice white spots, called Koplik's spots, inside his mouth. These look a bit like grains of salt on a red velvet pillow.

• Three to four days later, a red rash appears - usually starting on the head and neck - and spreads to cover the entire body. The spots sometimes join to produce large red blotchy areas.
• He may have a stomachache, diarrhoea, vomiting, febrile convulsions and swollen glands.
• After three days, the rash starts to fade and the symptoms subside.

How can it be treated?

• Give him plenty of fluids.
• To bring his fever down, give him infant paracetamol (suitable for infants over three months old). As it is a viral infection it can't be treated with antibiotics.
• Darken the room if the light bothers his eyes.

Most children recover within a week or ten days and will have lifelong immunity. But some children develop complications such as ear and chest infections. On rare occasions, serious complications such as encephalitis can occur. See Emergency checklist below, for symptoms.

Emergency checklist

Contact your GP straight away if seven to ten days after the appearance of the rash he gets a headache, becomes drowsy or vomits - it can be a sign of encephalitis. This can lead to seizures and coma which can lead to mental handicap or death.

Go to the Health Protection website for advice.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

What causes meningitis?

Meningitis is usually caused by an infection which can be bacterial, viral or fungal. It can occur at any time of year, but tends to peak in winter.

Viral meningitis

is relatively mild, with flu-like symptoms. Fungal meningitis is caused by Candida albicans, the fungus that causes thrush. In rare cases, it causes a dangerous form of meningitis in babies - particularly those born prematurely. There are at least 50 different types of bacteria that cause meningitis but the two most common in the UK are meningococcal and pneumococcal strains. Most cases of bacterial meningitis are caused by the meningococcal strain which also causes meningococcal septicaemina (blood poisoning). There are three different forms of the meningococcal bacteria - A, B and C strains. The A strain is extremely rare in the UK. The B strain, which accounts for one third of cases usually affects just one person in a community. Group C accounts for two thirds of cases and is often linked with outbreaks in schools.

Pneummococcal meningitis

accounts for ten per cent of bacterial meningitis cases in the UK. It tends to affect children - mostly those under two years old. It is not considered to be contagious. Group B Streptococcal meningitis causes most cases of neonatal meningitis. Low birth weight or premature babies have a higher risk of all forms of neonatal meningitis. 'Prolonged labour after rupture of the membranes (waters) also increase the risk,' says Linda Glennie, medical information officer for Meningitis Research foundation.

How is it spread?

The bacteria usually live in the nose and throat without causing problems. But for some reason they become invasive leading to meningitis. It is spread like a cold - by sneezing, coughing. When the bacteria is breathed in by others, they pass into the bloodstream and are carried in the blood to the meninges where they cause inflammation. In some cases the bacteria multiply in the blood, causing blood poisoning or meningoccoccal septicaemia. In newborns, it's thought this bacteria may come from the mother's vagina.

Recognising the signs of meningitis

In babies and young children both bacterial and viral meningitis can be hard to spot. If your child rapidly falls seriously ill or has a rash that does not fade under the glass tumbler test, seek medical help immediately. Watch for general signs - he may not develop all the symptoms so don't wait for them to appear. Get urgent medical help if he has one of the following:

• Severe headache
• Dislike of bright lights
• A stiff neck
• Arches his back with his neck stretched backwards

Early symptoms of meningococcal septicaemia

One or more the following symptoms may indicate septicaemia:

• High temperature - above 39°C/102.2°F, which becomes difficult to control with fluids and infant paracetamol (suitable from three months)
• Severe or repeated vomiting
• Pain in joints and muscles
• Cold hands and feet
• Drowsiness, irritability and agitation
• Rapid breathing
• Blank and staring expressing
• A pin-prick red rash, that doesn't disappear under a glass tumbler test, and develops into purple bruises

Recognising meningitis in babies

Symptoms to look out for in children under 12 months are:

• Tense or bulging fontanelles
• Blotchy or pale skin
• Refuses feed
• A stiffening body with involuntary movements, or a floppy body
• He is fretful, with a shrill, moaning cry when handled

How is meningitis treated?

• The most immediate form of treatment is antibiotics. Family members and anyone else who has been in close contact with your child may be offered antibiotics to kill any bacteria being carried and prevent disease spreading.
• Children who contract bacterial meningitis and are promptly treated usually recover fully. In a minority of cases, brain damage may occur.
• Viral meningitis does not require any specific treatment and usually clears up within a few weeks.

Emergency checklist

Use the glass test if your child has a rash and you suspect it could be meningitis. This is done by pressing a drinking glass firmly against the rash - if the spots don't fade through the glass, it could be meningococcal sepeticaemia, so call your GP immediately. If the spots fade away, the test is negative. But call your GP if you are worried.

Support groups and organisations

Meningitis Research Foundation, Midland Way, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2AS
Call the 24-hour helpline on 0808 8003344 for advice, support and an information pack go to the Meningitis Research Foundation

The National Meningitis Trust, Fern House Bath Road, Stroud Gloucestershire GL5 3TJ
Tel: 01453 768000
Helpline UK: 0845 6000 800
Republic of Ireland: 1800 523 196
calls are charged at normal rates
Go to the the National Meningitis Trus website for advice.  

What is morning sickness?

It may be called morning sickness, but nausea can strike at any time of the day. The good news is that this tends to end at around 12-14 weeks.

What causes morning sickness?

Many experts believe the levels of pregnancy hormones causes sickness. As these tend to equalise at 12-14 weeks it would explain why morning sickness usually ends around this time.

How can I tell if I have morning sickness?

You will have a feeling of nausea and it is usual to vomit.

How can morning sickness be treated?

When you are feeling ill try and eat plain foods such as dry toast, and avoid smells which you have found bring on feelings of sickness.

Ginger helps alleviate symptoms so try nibbling on a ginger biscuit or sipping ginger tea.

Go to NHS Direct for advice.