Measles

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a viral infection of the respiratory system. Measles is a very
contagious disease that can spread through contact with infected mucus and saliva. The coughing
or sneezing of an infected person can release the virus into the air. The virus can live on surfaces
for several hours. As the infected particles enter the air and settle on surfaces, anyone within
close proximity can become infected with the measles virus.
Causes of measles
Measles is caused by infection with the rubeola virus, a paramyxovirus
When someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air, where
other people can inhale them. The infected droplets may also land on a surface, where they
remain active and contagious for several hours.
Risk factor of measles
Those people at high risk for measles include

children less than 1 year of age (although they have some immunity passed from their
mother, it is not 100% effective);

people who have not received the proper vaccination series;

people who received immunoglobulin at the time of measles vaccination;

Also people low vitamin A deficiency is also a risk factor for measles. Children with too little
vitamin A in their diets have a higher risk of catching the virus.

Transmission of Measles
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected
person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Also, measles virus can live for

up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people
breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or
mouths, they can become infected
Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after
the rash appears.
Measles is a disease of humans; measles virus is not spread by any other animal species.
Epidemiology of measles
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that's caused by a virus that infects only
humans. It is transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contact with nasal or throat
secretions of infected persons.

Measles kills more children than any other vaccine-preventable disease. Before the widespread
use of vaccine, 90% of children had contracted measles by the age of 10 years. An effective
vaccine has been available since the 1960s, and all countries offer measles-containing vaccine
(MCV) in their immunization programmes.
2014, April 19 had 8,500 measles cases, 114 fatalities,
In 2014 May 30 had 21,639 measles cases, 142 fatalities
In 2011, the WHO estimated that there were about 158,000 deaths caused by measles. This is
down from 630,000 deaths in 1990.[3] In developed
Life cycle of Measles

Adsorption to the cell surface: via Hemagglutinin. Cellular receptor of measles virus is
CD46 molecule.

Penetrates the cell surface and uncoats

Virion RNA polymerase transcribes the negative-strand genome to mRNA

Specific viral proteins are formed

Assembly to helical nucleocapsid

Release of virus by budding

Symptoms of Measles
Symptoms of measles generally appear within 14 days of exposure to the virus. Symptoms
include:

cough

fever

red eyes

light sensitivity

muscle aches

runny nose

sore throat

white spots inside the mouth

Rash - 3 to 4 days after initial symptoms a reddish-brown spotty rash appears. The rash
can last for over a week. It usually starts behind the ears and spreads all over the head and neck.
After a couple of days it spreads to the rest of the body, including the legs. As the little spots
grow many of them will join together.
Treatment of Measles
There is no prescription medication to treat measles. The virus and symptoms typically disappear
within two to three weeks. However, your doctor may recommend:

acetaminophen to relieve fever and muscle aches

rest to help boost your immune system

plenty of fluids (six to eight glasses of water a day)

humidifier to ease a cough and sore throat

vitamin A supplements

Complications Associated with Measles

It is important to receive a measles vaccine because measles can lead to life-threatening
complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
And patients who have weak immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or leukemia, those
with vitamin deficiency, and very young children. Adults over the age of 20 are more likely to
have complications than healthy children over the age of 5.

Other complications associated with measles may include:

ear infection

bronchitis

miscarriage or preterm labor

decrease in blood platelets

blindness

severe diarrhea
Prevent of measles
Get the measles vaccine:

People who cannot show that they were vaccinated as children and who have never had
measles should be vaccinated.

Infants 6-11 months of age should have 1 dose of measles vaccine if traveling
internationally..
o Infants vaccinated before 12 months of age should be revaccinated on or after the first
birthday with 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.

Children 12 months of age or older should have 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.

Adolescents and adults who have not had measles or have not been vaccinated should get
2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.

Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) vaccine is nearly 100% effective at
preventing measles.

References

Measles". Merck Manual Professional. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Retrieved 23
March 2014.

Measles (Red Measles, Rubeola)". Dept of Health, Saskatchewan. Retrieved10

February 2015.

Measles (Rubeola) Signs and Symptoms". cdc.gov. November 3, 2014. Retrieved5

February 2015.

who.int. November 2014. Retrieved4 February 2015.

Conn's Current Therapy 2015: Expert Consult - Online. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2014.
p. 153. ISBN 9780323319560.

Atkinson, William (2011). Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable

Diseases (12 ed.). Public Health Foundation. pp. 301323. ISBN 9780983263135.
Retrieved 5 February 2015.

Marx, John A. (2010). Rosen's emergency medicine : concepts and clinical practice(7th
ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier. p. 1541. ISBN 9780323054720.