Measles, also called rubeola, is a contagious disease that causes a highly infectious morbillivirus causing high fever, cough, runny nose, red rash, and watery eyes. Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus whereas the measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. 

The virus that causes measles is different from the virus that causes German measles. 

It can be very serious for those who are pregnant. Tiny white spots with bluish discolourations with a red background inside the mouth and around the oral cavity, especially the cheek, called Koplik’s spots and the rash starts out as flat red spots on the face and then moves downward over the body. Then smaller raised white spots may appear on top of the red rash. The spots might join together as the rash goes down the body. The infection occurs in stages over 2 to 3 weeks. A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.

Complications of Measles : 

  • Diarrhoea 
  • Ear infections 
  • Pneumonia 
  • Encephalitis, which itself can cause hearing loss 

Laboratory tests to find the virus in samples of : 

  • Blood 
  • Secretions from your nose and throat 
  • Urine (pee) 

Prevention methods : 

Children and adults receive the measles vaccine to prevent measles. 

The measles vaccine is usually a combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is given around the age of 12 to 15 months, and the second around 4 or 5 years of age. MMRV vaccine is only available for children ages 12 months to 12 years of age. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about the best time for your child.

Take Home Message : Although there’s no cure for measles. The virus must run its course, which usually takes about 10 to 14 days.

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