CPD reflective account
Measles A CPD article enhanced Jennifer Preston’s knowledge of measles pathology, management and public health issues
Four stages
Measles is clinically indicated by a temperature of 40°C and higher, a rash that lasts at least three days and a cough, coryza or conjunctivitis. Healthcare practitioners should aim to reduce the risk of complications and relieve symptoms since there is no specific antiviral treatment.
Health promotion
SPL
Before the introduction of measles vaccination, measles was considered an inevitable part of childhood and occurred in 96-98% of children by the age of 18 years. At that time there were approximately 100 reported deaths per year associated with measles in the UK. The combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced in 1988. MMR is a live vaccine that produces antibodies and ‘memory cells’ that enable a prompt response if the virus is encountered again. One dose of the MMR vaccine is estimated to be 95% effective in protection against measles. Individuals who receive a second dose of the vaccine are unlikely to contract measles. Preventing epidemics requires 93-95% of the population to be immunised. Therefore, promoting vaccination is essential, unless contraindications exist. Measles is highly contagious and needs no direct contact for infection, since the virus is able to survive for up to two hours on surfaces. Virions are transmitted by contact with nasal and throat secretions that become airborne droplets through coughing and sneezing.
to 12 days. Individuals are most contagious in the one to two days before the onset of the rash, when they may be unaware they are infected. The second, prodromal phase lasts two to four days and presents as increasing fever, malaise, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, photophobia, anorexia and peri-orbital oedema. The third, exanthema stage appears 14 days after exposure to the virus. It presents as a rash that may last three to seven days, appearing first on the face and spreading down to the trunk and extremities over two to three days.
Effective infection control can reduce the risk of cross infection. Children with immunodeficiency and pregnant women are at higher risk of complications, which may include otitis media, pneumonia, diarrhoea and febrile convulsions. Measles has four clinical stages. The incubation phase lasts eight
This CPD article is based on NS744 Bentley J et al (2014) Measles: pathology, management and public health issues. Nursing Standard. 28, 38, 51-58.
The final stage is recovery. Clinical improvement can be seen 48 hours after the rash appears. Without complications, resolution of the fever and rash takes seven to ten days. After reading this article, I intend to assess any rashes I encounter critically, bearing in mind the symptoms and appearance of measles. I am now better able to provide accurate health promotion advice so parents can have their child immunised knowing the potential benefits and contraindications. It is useful to know the stages of disease progression, so that I can inform parents and patients about what to expect NS Jennifer Preston is a paediatric nursing student and social worker at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire
Write your own reflective account You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a reflective account. Turn to page 51 for this week’s article and on page 61 you can find out how to present and submit your reflective account.
Visit the RCN Learning Zone The RCN Learning Zone is a FREE online service to help RCN members with their continuing professional development and professional portfolio management. The RCN Learning Zone can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/members/learningzone.php
60 march 4 :: vol 29 no 27 :: 2015 NURSING STANDARD Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 16, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
Measles A CPD article enhanced Jennifer Preston’s knowledge of measles pathology, management and public health issues
Four stages
Measles is clinically indicated by a temperature of 40°C and higher, a rash that lasts at least three days and a cough, coryza or conjunctivitis. Healthcare practitioners should aim to reduce the risk of complications and relieve symptoms since there is no specific antiviral treatment.
Health promotion
SPL
Before the introduction of measles vaccination, measles was considered an inevitable part of childhood and occurred in 96-98% of children by the age of 18 years. At that time there were approximately 100 reported deaths per year associated with measles in the UK. The combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced in 1988. MMR is a live vaccine that produces antibodies and ‘memory cells’ that enable a prompt response if the virus is encountered again. One dose of the MMR vaccine is estimated to be 95% effective in protection against measles. Individuals who receive a second dose of the vaccine are unlikely to contract measles. Preventing epidemics requires 93-95% of the population to be immunised. Therefore, promoting vaccination is essential, unless contraindications exist. Measles is highly contagious and needs no direct contact for infection, since the virus is able to survive for up to two hours on surfaces. Virions are transmitted by contact with nasal and throat secretions that become airborne droplets through coughing and sneezing.
to 12 days. Individuals are most contagious in the one to two days before the onset of the rash, when they may be unaware they are infected. The second, prodromal phase lasts two to four days and presents as increasing fever, malaise, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, photophobia, anorexia and peri-orbital oedema. The third, exanthema stage appears 14 days after exposure to the virus. It presents as a rash that may last three to seven days, appearing first on the face and spreading down to the trunk and extremities over two to three days.
Effective infection control can reduce the risk of cross infection. Children with immunodeficiency and pregnant women are at higher risk of complications, which may include otitis media, pneumonia, diarrhoea and febrile convulsions. Measles has four clinical stages. The incubation phase lasts eight
This CPD article is based on NS744 Bentley J et al (2014) Measles: pathology, management and public health issues. Nursing Standard. 28, 38, 51-58.
The final stage is recovery. Clinical improvement can be seen 48 hours after the rash appears. Without complications, resolution of the fever and rash takes seven to ten days. After reading this article, I intend to assess any rashes I encounter critically, bearing in mind the symptoms and appearance of measles. I am now better able to provide accurate health promotion advice so parents can have their child immunised knowing the potential benefits and contraindications. It is useful to know the stages of disease progression, so that I can inform parents and patients about what to expect NS Jennifer Preston is a paediatric nursing student and social worker at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire
Write your own reflective account You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a reflective account. Turn to page 51 for this week’s article and on page 61 you can find out how to present and submit your reflective account.
Visit the RCN Learning Zone The RCN Learning Zone is a FREE online service to help RCN members with their continuing professional development and professional portfolio management. The RCN Learning Zone can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/members/learningzone.php
60 march 4 :: vol 29 no 27 :: 2015 NURSING STANDARD Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 16, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
