All About Epidemics: Measles

What is Measles?

"Measles is a childhood infection caused by a virus. Signs and symptoms of measles include cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash. These days, it is easily treated by vaccines."

Measles is also called rubeola. Measles can be fatal for small children. Although the death rate decreased due to the invention of the vaccine, the disease is still detrimental to mostly under the age of 5.

By 2000, the measles vaccine had practically eliminated measles in the United States. However, there are still many children who are not vaccinated. They are susceptible to the disease. To avoid being infected, adults should vaccinate their children, and keep track of their health.

What is a main cause of Measles?

"The cause of measles is a very contagious virus, which lives in the mucus in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. That child or adult is contagious from four days before the rash appears to four days after."

People simply get infected to measles by the patients' coughs, sneezes. Droplets are sprayed into the air, and other people inhale them. The infected droplets may also land on a surface, where they remain active and contagious for several hours. You can contract the virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing your eyes after touching the infected surface. Therefore, it is really important to wash your hands whenever you go outside.

What are symptoms of Measles?

Fever
Dry cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
Sensitivity to light
Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek (Koplik's spots)
A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches

(signs and symptoms may appear 7-14 days after exposure to the virus.)

Sequential stages during the infection :

Infection and incubation : For the first seven to 14 days after you're infected, the measles virus incubates. You have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.
Nonspecific signs and symptoms : Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore throat. These symptoms would last 2-3 days.
Acute illness and rash : Red spots and bumps would appear on the skin, giving a splotchy red appearance. The face breaks out first, particularly behind the ears and along the hairline. Over the next few days, the rash is spread all over the patient's body. At the same time, fever rises sharply, often as high as 104 or 105 F (40 or 40.6 C).
Communicable period : The patient can spread measles virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.

How is Measles treated?

No treatment can get rid of measles that is already in action. However, some treatments may reduce your vulnerability of measles.

Post-exposure vaccination : Infants or children who are not immunized, may be given the measles vaccination within 72 hours of exposure to the measles virus, keeping them from being contracted. Even if measles still develops, you should not worry so much that the illness is mostly milder.

Immune serum globulin : Pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune systems may receive an injection of proteins (antibodies) called immune serum globulin. In that way, their antibodies get stronger that they can prevent measles or make symptoms less severe within six days.

Medications while you are infected by Measles :

Fever reducers : Children with high fever may get certain drugs to reduce the symptom. However, do not give aspirin to children in case of Reye's syndrome. It is rare but potentially fatal disease which leads to a sudden brain damage and liver function problems.

Antibiotics : In case of pneumonia or an ear infection while a patient suffers measles, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

Vitamin A : People with low levels of vitamin A are more susceptible to severe symptoms of measles. Giving Vitamin A may lessen the severity of the measles.

How do you protect yourself from getting infected?

Your body is immune to measles once you are contracted, and you can't get measles again. "It is interesting that most people born or living in the United States before 1957 are immune to measles, simply because they've already had it."

Precautions if you have not had measles yet or you are infected :

Isolation : Keep in mind that measles is highly contagious from about four days before to four days after the rash breaks out. During this period, the patients should not be in close contact with other people. It may also be necessary to keep children away from the patients.
Vaccinate : Be sure to be vaccinated properly, or you might get infected by measles even though you think you are immunized.