Measles

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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].


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About Me

Lim Shu Yun
Biomedical Science 2M03
Medical Microbiology Disease Tracking (Measles cases from 2014 - present)

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