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Measles, also known as Rubeola or red measles, is caused by a virus that creates rashes all over the body, making it a highly contagious respiratory infectious disease. Measles can be passed from person to person by infectious mucous and saliva. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles claimed the lives of 1,39,300 people in 2010. The majority of the 1,39,300 global deaths were among youngsters under the age of five. Children who have not been vaccinated are more susceptible to getting measles. In 1963, the vaccine for measles was developed. Severe measles is a disease that affects undernourished young children who are deficient in Vitamin A. Those whose immune systems have been compromised by HIV and AIDS, or other disorders are more susceptible to measles infection.
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Key Terms: Measles, Rubeola, Red Measles, Virus, Rashes, Contagious Respiratory Infection, Infectious Mucous, Saliva, Sneezes
What is Measles?
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Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by a virus leading to severe rashes on the skin. Measles is mainly prevalent in young children and can prove to be serious and fatal for small children. The vaccine for Measles is already developed and can be prevented with the same.
The signs and symptoms of measles include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), tiny white spots with bluish-white centres on a red background and skin rashes made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another.
Measles
Causes of Measles
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Measles is caused by a virus, as previously stated. It's a contagious illness spread by mucus and saliva. The virus is released into the air when a measles-infected person sneezes or coughs. The measles virus can spread through the air. As a result, anyone in that area could be infected by the virus.
Some of the modes by which measles is spread are:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Saliva
- Coming in contact with a contaminated surface
- Skin to skin contact / Physical contact
- From Pregnant Mother to Child/Nurse
Symptoms of Measles
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Symptoms of Measles usually develop 14 days after being exposed to the virus. The most common symptom of measles is a rash on the body, but there are a few other symptoms that might assist diagnose measles and the following symptoms are
- Fever
- Hacking cough
- Red eyes
- Muscle pains
- Running nose
- Sore throat
- Sores inside the mouth
Within 4–5 days of the onset of symptoms, body rashes occur on the body. There are chances that it'll be accompanied by a high fever.
High Fever in Measles
Complications
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If not treated effectively, measles can lead to long-term consequences. This article goes into greater detail about a few main difficulties.
- Ear infection- Hearing loss occurs in around one out of every ten children who contract measles.
- Diarrhoea- Diarrhoea is a common ailment that affects fewer than 1% of the population.
- Complications can occur in children under the age of five and adults beyond the age of twenty.
- If pregnant women do not receive the MMR vaccine, their babies may be born prematurely or with low birth weight.
- People who contract a pulmonary infection, such as pneumonia, or encephalitis (brain swelling), are at risk of dying.
- Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in young children with measles.
- Every 1000 children who contract measles die as a result of respiratory and neurologic problems.
- Infection with measles can lead to long-term consequences.
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is an extremely rare but devastating central nervous system disease that occurs 7 to 10 years after a person has had measles or when they appear to be totally recovered.
- During the comeback in the United States from 1989 to 1991, it was projected that 4 out of every 11 people infected with measles were at risk of getting SSPE.
- Children who are infected with measles before the age of two are more likely to develop SSPE.
Also Read: Difference difference between Vaccination and Immunization
Diagnosis of Measles
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A skin rash and other signs or characteristics of the disease are examined by a doctor to confirm measles. If the doctor cannot confirm the diagnosis by evaluating visual signs, he or she may recommend a blood test.
Treatment of Measles
Measles does not have a specific therapy. The infection and symptoms usually go away in two to three weeks, but your doctor may advise you to try the following treatments:
- Medications that aid in the immune system's improvement
- Anti-cough and anti-sore throat medications
- Acetaminophen is used to treat muscle aches and fevers.
- Vitamin A-rich foods are those that contain a lot of this vitamin.
- When it comes to youngsters, it is recommended that they are closely supervised by a doctor. Children should be isolated until they have healed completely.
Prevention of Measles
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Because there is no specific therapy for measles, it is recommended that one must take all essential precautions to avoid contracting the disease. Within 12 months of birth, children should be vaccinated, with the second dose given between the ages of 4 and 6. The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: mumps, measles, and rubella. It's also critical to treat the disease early on, especially in children.
MMR Vaccine
Things to Remember
- Measles is a contagious disease that can be treated. There is no particular therapy for measles infection.
- Rashes arise all over the infected person's body, however, a blood test is necessary.
- Symptoms such as high fever, rashes, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, blotchy skin, and others might be used to make a diagnosis.
- Vaccination of children under the age of 12 months. Between the ages of 4-6, the second dose should be administered.
- Mumps, Measles, and Rubella are all prevented with a vaccination known as the triple vaccine MMR. Early detection and treatment of the illness are possible.
Also Read:
Sample Questions
Ques. Differentiate between Measles and Rubella. (5 Marks)
Ans. The difference between Measles and Rubella is as follows:
Measles
- Measles is more contagious than Rubella.
- Measles causes a severe fever that might reach 40 degrees Celsius.
- Rashes and blotches that last for a longer period of time are one of the symptoms of measles.
- In the case of measles, lymph nodes are not always enlarged.
- Measles symptoms appear as Koplik spots on the skin.
Rubella
- It's not as contagious as measles.
- Rubella is a virus that causes a low-grade fever.
- Rubella rashes diminish more quickly.
- Lymph nodes are always enlarged with rubella.
- Schheimer spots are the most common symptom of rubella.
Ques. What are the signs and symptoms of measles, and how is it treated? (3 Marks)
Ans. Measles is characterised by a mild to moderate fever, as well as a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), and a sore throat. This short-term illness could last two or three days. Illness with a rash. Small red dots, some of which are slightly elevated, make up the rash. Some of the major common symptoms of measles are:
- Hacking cough
- Red eyes
- Muscle pain
- Running nose
- Sore throat
- Sore inside the mouth
- Running nose
- Red blotchy skin rashes
Ques. What is the best way to prevent getting measles? (3 Marks)
Ans. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can help you prevent contracting the disease. If you're at acute risk of contracting measles and the MMR vaccine isn't right for you, a therapy called human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG) can be utilised.
The vaccination of children within 12 months of their birth can help to prevent measles at a large scale and this should be accompanied by the second dose that should be given between the ages of 4-6 years.
Ques. What is the best way to cure measles in children? (2 Marks)
Ans. Since measles (also known as rubeola) is caused by a virus, it has no specific medical treatment. The infection must be allowed to take its course. To avoid spreading the infection, a sick child should drink enough liquids, get plenty of rest, and stay home from school or daycare.
Ques. What is the treatment for measles in terms of medicine? (3 Marks)
Ans. Measles does not have a specific therapy. Viruses, unlike bacterial infections, are resistant to drugs. The virus and its symptoms usually go away in two to three weeks. For those who have been exposed to the virus, there are several treatments available.
To treat measles, doctors mainly focus on medications to improve the immune system, reduce muscle pain and fever and reduce cough and sore throat.
Ques. When is the measles vaccine administered as part of a child's normal vaccination? (3 Marks)
Ans. The MMR vaccine is used to prevent measles. The first dose of the measles vaccine is administered at the age of 12 months, followed by the second dose around the age of 4-6 years. MMR vaccination should be administered in two doses to teenagers and older children. When going to a location where measles is present, an infant between the ages of 6 and 11 months may be advised to be vaccinated. Vaccine records for our children should be kept at all times. For additional information about measles immunisation, we can contact our local health department.
Ques. What causes measles and how does it spread? (3 Marks)
Ans. Measles is a highly infectious virus that dwells in the mucus of an infected person's nose and throat. Coughing and sneezing might transmit it to others. Other persons can become sick if they breathe contaminated air or contact an infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths.
Measles basically spread through the mucous and saliva of the infected person to the non-infected person in contact.
Ques. What is the classification of measles? (3 Marks)
Ans. Measles is a viral infectious disease. Some of the important facts about the virus are as follows:
- The virus that causes measles is a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus with just one serotype.
- It belongs to the Morbillivirus genus, which belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family.
- Only humans are natural hosts for the measles virus.
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