Measles

Measles is an acute viral disease characterised by a reddish rash that can cover the entire body.

Risk factors. It is highly contagious and incubated in the cells of the pharynx and the airways; it lasts seven to ten days. The disease is more difficult in very young children and in adults. It is also a very serious disease among malnourished children and can cause death.

Measles is a disease with lifetime immunity. Once someone has the infection, he cannot have it again.

Prevention. It is important to be vaccinated against measles. Although it seems that the likelihood of illness is small, the disease still exists and therefore the virus can infect any unprotected person.

Measles is a disease that is transmitted very easily. People are contagious from shortly before the onset of the cold to four days after the rash appears.

It is identified with certainty by the observation of Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa, which appear in the mouth by the third day after the first symptoms appear. They look like a few grains of salt with a pink, slightly swollen border.

There is no specific treatment for the virus. The doctor will prescribe antipyretics like paracetamol if there is a fever, calamine for itching and cough syrup for a cough. It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids during the febrile period.

For more information visit:

Measles
http://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/measles/

Creation date: 17/09/2015 - Last modification date: 09/10/2015

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