Measles

Measles is a most contagious disease in children characterized by skin rash, cough, runny nose, sore throat, red eyes caused by paramyxovirus. It is a fetal disease if not treated properly. In 2008 ,197000 children died of measles. Vaccination has significantly reduced the mortality rate in the world .

What causes the Measles?

Measles is caused by paramyxovirus (meales virus). Virus is transmitted though droplets from the nose, mouth and throat of a infected individual. When infected individual cough,sneeze and talks virus droplets into the air, where normal people can inhale them and get infected .

What are the risk factor for getting Measles?

Unimmunized children
Children less than 1 year
Low socioeconomic status
Vitamin A deficiency
Who received immunoglobulin during measles vaccination

What are the signs and symptoms of Measles ?

High fever (104 to 105 F)
Red eyes
Cough
Photophobia
Runny nose
Sore throat
Loss of appetite
Rash : Appears 3-5 days of first symptoms and signs. Rash start from the head and spread other parts of the body . It is present either macules(flat,discolored) or as papules (solid, raised red) .
Koplik’s spots( Tiny bluish-white spots inside the check)

How is the measles diagnosed?

Diagnosis relies on patients history and physical examination . In doubt cases diagnosis is confirmed by blood test for antibody of virus (IgM) and virus culture.

What are the complications of the measles ?

Ear infection
Sinusitis
Bronchitis
Laryngitis
Pneumonia
Encephalitis

Miscarriage,premature delivery in pregnant women.

Bleeding( due to low platelets count)

How is Measles managed ?

There is no cure of measles,but some treatment relives symptoms which includes :

Acetaminophen(paracetamol) or ibuprofen to reduce fever and relief pain. Don t use the aspirin for the children because of the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.
Plenty of fluid
Vitamin A supplement
Humidified air
Bed rest
Isolate the children from others children .
Antibiotic is used those who have the complications likes pneumonia, ear infection due to bacterial infection.

How is a measles prevented?

Immunization of MMR( measles-mumps-rubella ) vaccine is the the most effective way to prevent the measles . First dose of vaccine is given at 12-15 moths of age followed by second dose of immunization when the child is 4-6 years of old (vaccine is contraindicated who have egg allergies) .
Isolation of the patient( Measles is contagious from the four days before to fours days after rash)
Immune globulin is used for high-risk peoples who are exposed to measles includes HIV patients, child younger than 1 years old and pregnant women.

What the prognosis of Measles?

Most of the individual have good prognosis. 0.2% individual will die and few individual have sequels like panencephalitis and pneumonia .

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