Also known as Rubeola, measles is a rare but highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It presents like a flu with symptoms of cough, colds, red watery eyes, high grade fever, and a reddish brown rash. The rash is seen initially at the forehead then it progresses to affect later on the body until it reaches the feet. There is also the presence of small red spots inside the mouth called the Koplik’s spots. The symptoms of measles appear after around 10-14 days from exposure to the virus and usually last for 14 days. These symptoms can go on their own even without medical treatment after the virus has run its course. Treatment is given to a patient to avoid complications and to prevent progression of the disease into more severe infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, myocarditis, or encephalitis.The patient must be given antipyretic like paracetamol for the fever and more fluids to prevent dehydration. Nowadays, this condition is very rare because of immunization. The measles vaccine is available individually or in combination vaccine called MMR. The MMR vaccine is given between 12-15 months of age for the 1st dose and then repeated at age 4 to 6. It is contraindicated to individuals who are immunocompromised, and to those with allergy to gellatin and neobycin. |
