Measles: Symptoms, Types and Causes


Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred every 2–3 years and measles caused around 2.6 million deaths a year. The disease remains one of the leading causes of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine. Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is usually passed through direct contact and through the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract, and then spreads throughout the body. Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals. Accelerated immunization activities have had a major impact on reducing measles deaths. During 2000–2016, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 20.4 million deaths.




Symptoms

Measlessigns and symptoms appear 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Signs and symptoms of measles typically include:
  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek —Koplik's spots
  • A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another
  • The infection occurs in sequential stages over a period of two to three weeks.

Types

There are two types of measles:
  • Measles: caused by the rubeola virus.
  • Rubella, or German measles: caused by the rubella virus.

Rubella generally presents as mild but presents more of a risk to unborn infants than young children in case a woman contracts the virus while she is pregnant.

Causes

The cause of measles is a virus that replicates in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult.Whenever someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air, where other people can inhale them. The infected droplets may also land on a surface, where they remain active and contagious for up to several hours.You can contract the virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing your eyes after touching the infected surface.

Who is at risk?

Unvaccinated young children are at highest risk of measles and its complications. Unvaccinated pregnant women are also at a higher risk. Any non-immune person - who has not been vaccinated or was vaccinated but did not develop immunity - can become infected. Measles is still common in many developing countries – particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. The overwhelming majority of measles deaths occur in countries with low incomes and weak health infrastructures. Measles outbreaks can be especially deadly in countries experiencing or recovering from a natural disaster or conflict. Damage to health infrastructure and health services interrupts routine immunization, and overcrowding greatly increases the risk of infection.

How to treat measles

There is no prescription medication to treat measles. The virus and symptoms usually disappear within two to three weeks. However, your doctor may recommend:
  • acetaminophen to relieve fever and muscle aches
  • rest to help boost your immune system
  • plenty of fluids
  • vitamin A supplements

Measles has a low death rate in healthy children and adults, and most people who contract measles virus recover fully. The risk of complications is significantly higher in children and adults with a weak immune system. You cannot get measles more than once - after you’ve had the virus, you are immune for life.

Location: New York, NY, USA

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