Measles: Causes, Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment and Prevention
Measles
Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and even death.
Measles is caused by the measles virus (part of the Paramyxoviridae family), which affects the lung and pharyngeal cells of an infected person and spreads easily through the air via coughing and sneezing. When a person with measles coughs, sneezes, or talks, infected droplets are sprayed into the air (where other people can inhale them) or land on a surface, where they remain active and contagious for several hours.
If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected. Infected people can transmit measles to others from four days before until four days after the rash appears.
In the case of children, measles can be serious and even fatal, especially for infants.
Measles vs. Rubella
Although they have almost similar names, measles and rubella are caused by two different viruses. Rubella is not as contagious as measles. However, it can cause severe complications if a woman develops the infection during pregnancy.
Even though different viruses cause measles and rubella, they are also similar in many respects. Both viruses can be spread through the air, by coughing and sneezing, and cause fever and a characteristic rash.
Both measles and rubella are included in the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccines.
Mode of transmission
The measles virus is transmitted through the air via droplets of saliva or secretions coughed up by infected people. The virus can persist on surfaces for several hours, so simple contact with them followed by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth can lead to infection.
In case of exposure to the virus, the chances of contracting the disease are up to 90%. An infected person is contagious for about four days before and after the appearance of the rash.
Symptoms
Measles symptoms consist of a rash, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), and fever. Children may experience loss of appetite, diarrhea, sensitivity to light, and white spots inside the mouth.
The rash usually appears about 10-14 days after a person is exposed. The rash appears initially on the face, then spreads over the entire body down to the lower extremities. Along with this, the fever rises sharply (40-41°C).
In the case of infants and children under 5 years old, adults, or those with a weakened immune system, severe complications may occur, which can be fatal if specialist treatment is not administered. Also, vitamin A deficiency in the body increases the risk of contracting the measles virus.
Contracting measles during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Measles during pregnancy does not lead to congenital fetal abnormalities, but you must urgently present yourself to a hospital unit.
Diagnosis
Doctors can confirm measles by examining the rash and checking for symptoms characteristic of the disease, such as white spots in the mouth, fever, cough, and sore throat.
If the doctor suspects you might have measles, they will request a blood test to check for the presence of the measles virus.
Treatment
There is no specific antiviral medication for treating measles. The goal of medical care is to alleviate symptoms and avoid complications, such as bacterial infections.
For symptom management, high fluid intake, rest, and the administration of medications (that do not contain aspirin) to reduce fever are recommended.
Children with measles must be closely monitored by a doctor, with hospitalization sometimes being necessary for careful observation.
Severe cases of measles in children, including those who are hospitalized, can be treated with vitamin A. Never give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness, as administering it can lead to Reye's syndrome.
Prevention
Vaccination is the only method of preventing measles. The vaccine is part of the mandatory vaccination schedule, being part of the MMR vaccine which also helps increase protection against rubella and mumps. The vaccine is administered to infants by the age of 1, with a booster to be given between 5 and 7 years of age.
Adolescents who have not been vaccinated previously should receive two doses (at least 28 days apart); those who have only received one dose previously should receive the second dose.
In case of contact with a person with measles, people who have not been vaccinated and have not had the disease in childhood (natural immunization) can be vaccinated within the first 72 hours to alleviate symptoms and avoid a severe form of measles.
The measles vaccine is not recommended for immunocompromised individuals or pregnant women.
It should be noted that if the mother was previously vaccinated against measles, the baby has passive immunity to the virus, but this disappears a few months after birth.
References
https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/measles/
https://www.secom.ro/blogs/ghidul-secom/rujeola-sau-pojarul-infectia-virala-foarte-contagioasa-a-copilariei
https://www.synevo.ro/rujeola-o-boala-contagioasa/
https://www.catena.ro/rujeola-pojar-transmitere-simptome-tratament-si-preventie
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/measles.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/measles#vs-rubella
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/measles
https://www.medicover.ro/despre-sanatate/rujeola-simptome-tratament-preventie,97,n,285
