measles

(rubeola, red measles, English measles, morbilli)

A highly contagious infectious disease caused by measles virus (Measles morbillivirus), a single-stranded, negative-sense, enveloped, non-segmented RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae.

(Process)
0. Incubation period: 10-12 days
• Symptoms last 7-10 days (Days after the start of symptoms / Duration)
1. High fever (often greater than 40 °C), cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. (0 / 4-7 days)
2. Koplik's spots (small white spots) inside the mouth. (2-3 / 3-4 days)
3. A red, flat rash starting on the face and then the body, lower extremities. (3-5 / 5-6 days)

(Common complications)
• otitis media (middle ear infection)
• diarrhea
• pneumonia
These occur in part due to measles-induced immunosuppression.

(Less commonly)
• seizures
• blindness
• encephalitis: The most frequent neurological complication, possibly leading to convulsions and causing the patient deaf or with intellectual disability.
- - primary measles encephalitis
- - acute post-measles encephalitis
- - measles inclusion body encephalitis
- - subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

(Risk factors for complications)
• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults older than 20 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with compromised immune systems (e.g. leukemia, HIV infection)

(Prevention)
Measles vaccine is usually given as the combination measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines.
Currently, 2 doses are usually administered, usually at 12-15 months of age (in outbreaks, vaccine can be given after 6 months of age). The second dose is usually given at the start of school, but can be administered sooner. The minimum interval between doses is 1 month.

Cf. German measles, roseola