Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that's caused by a virus. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose. Though rare in the United States, 20 million cases happen worldwide every year.
Since measles is caused by a virus, there is no specific medical treatment for it and the virus has to run its course. But a child who is sick should drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest, and be kept from spreading the infection to others.
Signs and Symptoms
While measles is probably best known for its full-body rash, the first symptoms of the infection are usually a hacking cough, runny nose, high fever, and red eyes. Children who get the disease also may have Koplik's spots, small red spots with blue-white centers that appear inside the mouth.
measles_illustration
The measles rash breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms start, and can coincide with high fevers up to 104°F (40°C). The red or reddish-brown rash usually first shows up as flat red spots on the forehead. It spreads to the rest of the face, then down the neck and torso to the arms, legs, and feet. The fever and rash gradually go away after a few days.
Contagiousness
Measles is highly contagious — 90% of people who haven't been vaccinated for measles will get it if they are near an infected person. Measles spreads when people breathe in or have direct contact with virus-infected fluid, such as the droplets sprayed into the air when someone with measles sneezes or coughs. A person who is exposed to the virus might not show symptoms until 8-10 days later.
People with measles are contagious (can spread the disease) from 4 days before the rash appears until about 4 days after it does, and are most contagious while they have a fever, runny nose, and cough. Those with weakened immune systems due to other conditions (like HIV and AIDS) may be contagious until they recover from measles.
2. Objective
Define measles.
What are the symptoms of measles.
What is the infectious agent of measles.
Explain mode of transmission.
What are the complication of measles.
How we can control measles.
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3. Definition of measles
An acute, contagious viral disease, usuall
y occurring in childhood and characterize
d by eruption of red spots
on the skin, fever, and catarrhal symptom
s. Also called rubeola
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4. Signs and symptoms of measles
Fever greater than 40 °C (104.0 °F)
Dry cough.
Runny nose.
Sore throat.
Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red
background found inside the mouth on the inner
lining of the cheek — also called Koplik's spots
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6. Infectious agent of measles
The infectious agent for measles is virus
its spread through a virus called morbili
virus .
It is is a single-stranded, negative-sense,
enveloped (non-segmented) RNA virus
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8. Mode of transmission
Reservoir and source of infection
Reservoir is man .source of infection are
the secretion from the nose an throat of
an infected person .
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9. Mode of transmission
Direct: Direct contact with an infected
person.
Inderect: Through articles ,freshly soiled with
nasal and throat secretions.
Incubation period :it varies from 10 to 14
days some time it is an short as 6 days in
most cases it is 10 to 11 days .
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11. Method of control
a) control of patient ,contact and immediate environment
b) notification to heath authorities.
c) isolation is necessary .ordinarily for 7 days after the
appearance of rash the contact should be excluded from the
school for 14 days.
d) Disinfection all articles soiled with nasal and throat
secretions should be disinfected concurrently
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13. Preventive measures
Education on community level
Active immunization.at months one dose of living
attenuate virus freeze dried vaccine
subcutaneously in 0.5 cc dose (Schwartz strain )
hive immunity for whole life.
Contraindication for active immunization are
Untreated acute tuberclulosis
Leukemia
Pregnancy.
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