MEASLES

Measles, also known as morbilli, rubeola, or red measles, is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus.Initial signs and symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40 °C , cough, runny nose, and red eyes.Two or three days after the start of symptoms small white spots may form inside the mouth, known as Koplik's spots. A red, flat rash which usually starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body typically begins three to five days after the start of symptoms.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The classic signs and symptoms of measles include four-day fevers and the three C's cough, coryza head cold)(fever), and conjunctivitis red eyes along with fever and rashes.Fever is common and typically lasts for about one week; the fever seen with measles is often as high as 40 °C.Koplik's spots seen inside the mouth are pathognomonic diagnostic for measles, but are temporary and therefore rarely seen.[10] Recognizing these spots before a person reaches their maximum infectiousness can help physicians reduce the spread of the disease.

CAUSE

Measles is caused by the measles virus, a single-stranded, negative-sense, enveloped RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae.The virus was first isolated in 1954 by Nobel Laureate John F. Enders and Thomas Peebles, who were careful to point out that the isolations were made from patients who had Koplik's spots.

TREATMENT

There is no specific treatment for measles. Most people with uncomplicated measles will recover with rest and supportive treatment. It is, however, important to seek medical advice if the patient becomes sicker, as they may be developing complications.

Some people will develop pneumonia as a consequence of infection with the measles virus. Other complications include ear infections, bronchitis either viral bronchitis or secondary bacterial bronchitis, and brain inflammation.Brain inflammation from measles has a mortality rate of 15%. While there is no specific treatment for brain inflammation from measles, antibiotics are required for bacterial pneumonia, sinusitis, and bronchitis that can follow measles.