Measles: May 2015

What is measles?

Measles is a highly infectious disease cause by a virus in the paramyxovirus family.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Symptoms of measles usually appear 7 to 14 days after infected with the virus. Common symptoms include:

Dry cough
Runny nose
High fever
Watery and inflamed eyes
Koplik spots in the cheek or tongue
Skin rash

How is measles transmitted?

The virus replicates in the nose and throat of an infected individual. The spread of the virus is through coughing, sneezing and physical contact with an infected individual. Not only that, infected droplets can remain active for several hours and this means that the virus can live outside of the body!

Who is at a higher risk?

Individuals that are

Unvaccinated
Travelling to places with measles outbreaks
Deficient in Vitamin A

What are the complications of measles?

Ear infection
Pneumonia
Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)

What is the diagnosis of measles?

The doctor diagnose based on the symptoms of measles such as the characteristic rash. To confirm diagnosis, a blood test is usually done.

Is there any treatment for measles?

No treatment is available for measles infection. However, individuals diagnosed with measles should receive medications to treat the symptoms and complications. These medications include:

Fever reducers
Antibiotics for ear infection and pneumonia
Vitamin A supplements

How can measles be prevented?

Vaccination. The vaccine used in Singapore and other counters is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccines ensure protection against measles, prevent measles outbreaks and promote herd immunity.

Online references:
Mayo Clinic, 2014. Measles. [online] Available at: <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/basics/definition/con-20019675> [Accessed 30 May 2015].

World Health Organization, 2015. Measles. [online] Available at: <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/> [Accessed 30 May 2015].

Picture references:

[Characteristics of Measles] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://specialmouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/measles2.jpg> [Accessed 30 May 2015].

[Measles Infection, Symptoms and Complications] n.d. [image online] Available at: <https://img.washingtonpost.com/rw/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2014/06/24/Health-Environment-Science/Graphics/w-measles24.jpg> [Accessed 30 May 2015].

[MMR Vaccine] n.d. [image online] Available at: <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASt4CndGx6VfZjGX9PWUcVzzeFHfh0k2x5_hgg6gOyk2IpWTblK9lEI2iYBhw0FEiAeBekzF7H9rkhakDfVfVNHSLZ6ThzTUrTThdgq0Nc8HaQRlCMVY10VpQQ8dpSNgCTJ1gGdvxSiCr/s1600/MMRvaccine.png> [Accessed 30 May 2015].

Measles