Measles is highly contagious disease. It is caused by a virus and mostly affects the children. Measles is also called as 'Rubeola' but remember do not confuse Rubeola with Rubella as both are different diseases. Most commonly measles causes respiratory infection like cough, fever and typical generalized rash.

History of Measles

Prior 1963 every child was affected easily with measles virus as it spreads easily. In 1963 first vaccine was developed to prevent measles.

Causes of Measles

Measles is caused by virus called paramyxovirus which is highly contagious virus. This virus is transmitted by droplets from nose, mouth or throat of infected person. These droplets spread if infected person sneezes or coughs. The virus remains in the atmosphere for 4-5 hours and this much time is enough for healthy person to get infected by measles virus.

Risk factors

• A person without measles vaccine or improper vaccination has high risk of contracting the measles.
• Children less than 1 years old.

Sign and Symptoms

• The first 4 days after the person gets infected with the measles virus. A person starts getting mild to high grade fever, cough, running nose, bodyache and redness of eyes.
• After 4 days a small white spot occurs in the mouth near cheeks or roof of mouth. This spot is called as Koplik's spot.
• On fifth day a typical measles rash starts appearing first on head and then starts moving down towards the legs. Within 2 days the whole body gets affected by the rash. This rash is usually flat or slightly raised and looks white in color but turns red as you press the rash. Within few days rash starts fading and shedding of skin starts.

Immunity to Measles

Usually if a person is infected with the measles once in lifetime then that person gets immune to the virus. Also infants receive immunity from their mother but there is the risk of getting infection until they receive vaccination at the age of 12 and 15 months. Also the people who have received the vaccine doses twice are 97 to 98% immune to the virus.

Diagnosis of Measles
The diagnosis is made clinically by looking at the typical rash and koplik's spot in the mouth.

Blood test like IgM test helps to confirm the diagnosis of measles.

Treatment of Measles

Usually measles infection is managed by the symptomatic treatment as there is no specific treatment for it. Treatment includes fever reliever tablets if a child has fever. Along with medicines plenty of fluids and complete rest is recommended. Usually symptoms last for 2 weeks and hence the precaution is necessary to be taken for 2-3 weeks.

Vitamin A supplementation is usually necessary for children above 6 months as the conditions like weak immunity and malnutrition are commonly seen in developing countries. Also it is observed that Vitamin A supplementation decreases the complications from measles and hence prevent the deaths .

Prevention of Measles infection

• Complete routine measles vaccination protects the child from measles infection.
• Infants are protected from measles for 6 months after the birth because immunity is passed on from mother to the infant.
• MMR - Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine is given at the age of 12-14 months and at 4-6 years of age.

Side-effects of Measles Vaccine

The most common side-effect of measles vaccine is fever 6 to 10 days after vaccination. Fever is seen in nearly 20% of children after vaccination.
There is a misconception the MMR vaccine causes autism in children and hence most of the parents avoid giving MMR vaccine to their children. But the research study shows that there is no connection of MMR vaccine and autism.

Complications of Measles infection.

• Respiratory problems - Bronchitis, pneumonia.
• Ear infection - Otitis Media.
• Brain infection - Encephalitis.

• Written by Sheetal Kamble.
• In category Diseases.
• 12 years ago.

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