What is Measles?

Measles, also called Rubeola, is a highly contagious, acute, and febrile respiratory viral disease. It is a viral disease that can prove serious for young children, but it is easily preventable by the measles vaccine. It is one of the leading causes of worldwide mortality and morbidity, mainly in the regions of Africa and Southeast Asia. However, measles virus transmission is primarily observed among people who have traveled to high-risk countries and also among unvaccinated groups of the population (mainly children) in the community.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Measles?

The symptoms of measles include :

high fever,
Weakness
Cough
Runny nose
Pitted or cracked nails

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A measles rash
Sore throat
Koplik spots inside the mouth
Muscle pain
Light sensitivity

What are the Stages of Measles Disease?

The measles virus infection can be segregated into different stages over 2 to 3 weeks.

Measles incubation period

The measles virus spreads throughout the human body in the first 10 to 14 days after infection. During this time, there are no signs or symptoms of measles.

Not specific signs and symptoms

Measles disease starts with a mild fever, accompanied by a continuous cough, a runny nose, a sore throat, and red eyes (conjunctivitis). These mild measles symptoms may stay for 2 to 3 days.

Severe illness and measles rash

The rash consists of raised small red spots. A red blotchy rash in clusters first appears on the forehead. After a few days, the rash spreads to the other body parts. During this time, the patient experiences a high fever.

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What are the Causes of Measles?

Measles thrives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected individual, and the disease can spread to other people through coughing, breathing, and sneezing. When infected people talk, cough, or sneeze, the contaminated droplets get released into the air (where other people can inhale them) or settle on a surface where they remain contagious and active for a longer time. The following factors contribute to the transmission and spread of the measles virus:

Direct Contact

Close contact with an infected person increases the risk of contracting the measles disease. This can occur through face-to-face interactions or sharing living spaces with an infected individual.

Airborne Transmission

Measles is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can remain in the air for several hours, potentially affecting individuals who inhale them.

Contaminated Surfaces

The measles virus can survive on surfaces and objects for a few hours after being deposited by an infected person. Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face, particularly the eyes, nose, or mouth, can lead to infection.

Lack of Vaccination

Individuals who are not vaccinated against measles are at a higher risk of infection. Vaccination provides immunity against the virus, reducing the likelihood of contracting measles and contributing to herd immunity.

Travel to Areas with Measles Outbreaks

Traveling to regions where measles outbreaks are occurring increases the risk of exposure to the virus. Measles remains endemic in many parts of the world, and unvaccinated travelers may contract the virus and bring it back to their communities.

What are the Risk Factors of Measles?

The risk factors for measles disease are as follows.

Unvaccinated

By not taking the measles vaccine, a person is more vulnerable to measles infection.

Traveling abroad

Traveling to high-risk countries where measles is prevalent can increase the risk of catching the disease

Vitamin A deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency decreases immunity, making measles disease symptoms more severe.

What are the Preventions of Measles?

The measles vaccine is administered as a combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The chickenpox (varicella) vaccination may also be included in this MMRV vaccine. Medical experts recommend that children get their MMR vaccine shot between 12 and 15 months of age and, after that, between 4 and 6 years of age, before starting school.

What is the Measles Vaccine in Adults?

The measles vaccine is administered as a combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The chickenpox (varicella) vaccination may also be included in this MMRV vaccine. Medical experts recommend that children get their MMR vaccine shot between 12 and 15 months of age and, after that, between 4 and 6 years of age, before starting school.

What is the Measles Vaccine in Pregnancy?

Pregnant women should get vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine at least a month before getting pregnant. If they don't get immunized during childhood, this is done. Pregnant women can also take vaccines right after the delivery of the baby, even during breastfeeding.

How Measles Disease Diagnosed?

Know about the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of measles. Get information on this disease. Call now. Laboratory blood, including a complete blood count (CBC) and tissue sample tests from a throat or nose swab and urine test, can confirm the diagnosis.

The doctor may ask about the medical history, such as:

The child has received measles vaccines.
Any travel history to high-risk countries with prevalent measles disease.
Any close contact with an infected person.
The two doses of the MMR vaccine are quite effective in the prevention of measles. The measles symptoms are generally mild in the vaccinated people.

What is the Treatment of Measles ?

There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. The management is primarily supportive, including fever reducers, antibiotics, and vitamin A. Controlling fever, dehydration, and infection, including isolation, are the primary treatment methods.

According to WHO, malnourished children need to be administered daily doses of vitamin A for two days or more. Some measures can be taken to protect unvaccinated people after they've been exposed to the virus.

Post-exposure vaccination

Individuals with poor immunity to measles and infants can be administered the measles vaccine within three days of exposure to the measles virus.

Immune serum globulin

Adults, including pregnant women and infants who are infected with the virus, may receive an injection of proteins (antibodies) known as immune serum globulin. This can prevent the illness or make symptoms less severe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Measles is caused by the measles virus (MeV), a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory system. The virus belongs to the paramyxovirus family and is transmitted through respiratory droplets.

Measles is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face, particularly the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Measles and chickenpox are both contagious viral infections, but they are caused by different viruses and have distinct symptoms. Measles is caused by the measles virus (MeV) and typically presents with symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash. Chickenpox, on the other hand, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and is characterized by an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters. If you suspect measles or chickenpox

A measles-containing vaccination, usually given as the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, can prevent the spread of the disease.

The highly contagious measles virus produces flu-like symptoms along with a rash that covers the entire body. Since a virus causes measles, also known as rubeola, there is no particular medical cure for the illness.

The paramyxovirus is the type of virus that causes measles. This virus is extremely infectious and is often spread by minute droplets that are released when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or breathes.

Yes, it's possible for a child to get measles more than once, although it's relatively rare. Most people who have had measles once are immune for life due to their body's immune response to the virus. However, in some cases, particularly if the immune response was weak or if the virus mutated significantly, reinfection can occur.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus.

The measles virus can spread through the air via respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

Measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and even death, particularly in young children and people

with weakened immune systems.

The measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles. Vaccination has led to a significant reduction in measles cases globally.

Despite the availability of a vaccine, measles outbreaks still occur, often due to gaps in vaccination coverage or vaccine hesitancy.

Generally, it's advisable to eat a nutritious diet that supports the body's immune system during illness, including measles. There's no specific restriction on eating non-vegetarian food during measles unless it's a personal or cultural preference. However, it's important to focus on easily digestible and nutritious foods that help maintain hydration and provide essential nutrients to support recovery.

Yes, taking a bath is generally safe during measles. In fact, maintaining good hygiene, including regular bathing, can help prevent secondary bacterial infections and provide relief from symptoms such as fever and discomfort associated with measles. However, it's essential to use lukewarm water instead of hot water to avoid increasing body temperature, which can worsen symptoms. Additionally, gentle bathing practices are recommended to avoid irritating the skin, especially if a rash is present.

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