https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/189/Supplement_1
Measles (Rubeola):
Acute viral (paramyxovirus – RNA virus) infection infects skin and respiratory tract of those who have not been immunised. Very contagious sometimes fatal in some communities. One attack confers a very high degree of immunity.
Incubation is 7-12 days after exposure. Preventable by immunisation ( rarer in developed countries).
Clinical features:
Initially (catarrhal stage – cold like) fever; sneezing and runny nose; harsh and dry cough; red eyes sensitive to light; white spots in the mouth and throat (Koplik’s spots; pathognomic for measles; occur 2 days before rash) – child is ‘miserable’ and irritable
Later (exanthematous stage) red rash spreading from the ears and forehead to the rest of the body.
Complications – secondary infections, pneumonia, otitis media, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, meningitis, encephalitis.
Treatment – runs course in 7-10 days supportive; isolation; stay away from school for 10 days after appearance of rash; vitamin A supplements associated with decreased morbidity
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