Measles
Sreya Ravuru
What causes the disease?
The disease is caused by infection with the rubeola virus. The virus lives in the mucus of the nose and throat of an infected child or adult.
What are the symptoms
The symptoms occur 10-14 days after exposure. Symptoms include a runny nose, cough, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever, red blotch skin rash.
Who is at most risk?
Unvaccinated young children
Babies younger than a year old
Unvaccinated pregnant women
Children with a weak immune system
Contagious?
It is contagious from 4 days before the rash to 4 days after and is most contagious while they have a fever, runny nose, and cough.
How is it diagnosed?
A doctor can diagnose measles based on the characteristics of the disease’s rash as well as a small, bluish white spot on a bright red background on the inside lining of the cheek. A blood test can confirm whether the rash is truly measles or a different disease.
Healthcare specialist?
Pediatricians and family practitioners should be seen in a case of measles.
Prognosis?
Most people survive with measles but there are complications. About 1 in 4 individuals will be hospitalized and 1-2 in 1000 will die.There are about 1000 cases of measles per year
How can measles be prevented?
Measles can be prevented by vaccination by the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. There's no treatment to get rid of an established measles infection, but over-the-counter fever reducers or vitamin A may help with symptoms.