MEASLES

What are the measles?

Measles, or rubeola, is a viral infection of the respiratory system. Measles is a very contagious disease that can spread through contact with infected mucus and saliva. An infected person can release the infection into the air when they cough or sneeze.

The measles virus can live on surfaces for several hours. As the infected particles 
enter the air and settle on surfaces, anyone within close proximity can become infected.
Drinking from an infected person’s glass, or sharing eating utensils with an infected person, increases your risk of infection.
It remains an important cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.

What are the symptoms of measles?


The symptoms of measles always include fever and at least one of the three Cs:

cough and cold
coryza, or runny nose
conjunctivitis
Symptoms will appear about 9 to 11 days after initial infection.

Symptoms may include:

-runny nose
-dry hacking cough
-conjunctivitis, or swollen eyelids and inflamed eyes
-watery eyes
-photophobia, or sensitivity to light
-sneezing
-a reddish-brown rash
-Koplik's spots, or very small grayish-white spots with bluish-white centers in the mouth, insides of cheeks, and throat
-generalized body aches
There is often a fever. This can range from mild severe, up to 40.6 degrees Centigrade. It can last several days, and it may fall and then rise again when the rash appears.
The reddish-brown rash appears around 3 to 4 days after initial symptoms. This can last for over a week.
The rash usually starts behind the ears and spreads over the head and neck. After a couple of days, it spreads to the rest of the body, including the legs. As the spots grow, they often join together.
Most childhood rashes are not measles, but a child should see a doctor if:

-a parent suspects the child may have measles
-symptoms do not improve, or they get worse
-the fever rises to above 38º Centigrade (ºC) or 100.4º Fahrenheit (ºF)

-other symptoms resolve, but the fever persists

Causes

Measles is caused by infection with the rubeola virus. The virus lives in the mucus of the nose and throat of an infected child or adult.

The disease is contagious for 4 days before the rash appears, and it continues to be contagious for about 4 to 5 days after.

Infection spreads through:

• physical contact with an infected person
• being near infected people if they cough or sneeze
• touching a surface that has infected droplets of mucus and then putting fingers into the mouth, or rubbing the nose or eyes

The virus remains active on an object for 2 hours.

Diagnosis

A doctor can normally diagnose measles by looking at the signs and symptoms. A blood test will confirm the presence of the rubeola virus.

In most countries, measles is a notifiable disease. The doctor has to notify the authorities of any suspected cases. If the patient is a child, the doctor will also notify the school.

A child with measles should not return to school until at least 5 days after the rash appears.

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