What is Measles, cause, symptoms and protection?

www.biowiki.org/view/Fall09/MeasleVirus

Measles (Tigdas in Filipino) is very alarming now; it was also declare as epidemic in several areas where many people suffered from this disease. 

For a little information and awareness, what is Measles? What is the cause of this? How we can infect? How to prevent it and how it can be treating? Is it is a serious case?

Measles, also known as Rubeola or morbilli, is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus - a viral infection from virus called rubeola virus.


Back in History, some saying that,

The English word "measles" is thought to come from the Middle Dutch word masel, meaning "blemish". Connected to the Middle English word meseles, the plural of mesel, meaning "infested with tapeworms". The British slang word measly, which appeared in the mid 1860s meaning "meager and contemptible" was an adaptation of the modern word "measles" which had become established before that time.


What is the cause of measles? How can we infected by this?

Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a rubeola virus in the paramyxovirus family. The measles virus normally grows in the mucus of the nose and in the cells that line the back of the throat and lungs. The infected person is contagious for four days before the rash appears, and continues so for about four to five days afterwards.

 
How we become infected?

• By Physical contact with an infected person.
• By being nearby infected people if they cough or sneeze.
• By touching a surface that has infected droplets of mucus, and then putting your fingers into your mouth, rubbing your nose or eyes. (The virus remains active for two hours)
• As soon as it enters the body the virus multiplies in the back of the throat, lungs and the lymphatic system. It later infects and replicates in the urinary tract, eyes, blood vessels and central nervous system.
• It takes from 1 to 3 weeks for the virus to establish itself. However people show symptoms 9-11 days after infection.

What are the symptoms of the Measles?

• Coryza - runny nose.
• Dry hacking cough.
• Conjunctivitis - swollen eyelids, inflamed eyes.
• Watery eyes.
• Photophobia - sensitivity to light.
• Sneezing.
• Fever - this may be mild to severe and can reach 105F (40.6C) for a number of days. Fever may drop, and then rise again when the rash appears.Very small grayish-white spots with bluish-white centers in the mouth, insides of cheeks, and throat. Aches generally all over the body. Rashes, 3 to 4 days after initial symptoms a reddish-brown spotty rash appears. The rash can last for over a week. It usually starts behind the ears and spreads all over the head and neck. After a couple of days it spreads to the rest of the body, including the hand and legs. Although all rashes are not measles, but you should take your child to the doctor to make sure.

Who are the most prone of this measles?

• The Children with immunodeficiency due to HIV or AIDS, leukemia, alkylating agents, or corticosteroid therapy, regardless of immunization status.
• The Travelers to areas where measles is endemic or contact with travelers to endemic areas
• The Infants who lose passive antibody before the age
• Those under Malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency and Pregnant.

How it can be diagnose?

By Clinical diagnosis, the measles requires a history of fever of at least three days, with at least one of the three C's (cough, coryza, conjunctivitis). Observation of Koplik's spots is also diagnostic of measles.
By Laboratory test, diagnosis of measles can be done with confirmation of positive measles IgM antibodies or isolation of measles virus RNA from respiratory specimens. In patients where phlebotomy is not possible, saliva can be collected for salivary measles-specific IgA testing. Positive contact with other patients known to have measles adds strong epidemiological evidence to the diagnosis. The contact with any infected person in any way, including semen through sex, saliva, or mucus, can cause infection.


How it can be treated?

There is no specific treatment for measles. Most patients with uncomplicated measles will recover with rest and supportive treatment. It is, however, important to seek medical advice if the patient becomes more unwell.

All other treatment addresses symptoms, with ibuprofen, or acetaminophen (paracetamol) to reduce fever and pain and, if required, a fast-acting bronchodilator for cough.


If you child had a measles the following measures may help:

• Fever - if the temperature is high try to keep the child cool, but make sure he/she is not cold. Tylenol (paracetamol, acetaminophen) or ibuprofen is effective in controlling fever, as well as aches and pain. Children under 16 should not be given aspirin. Check with your doctor about acetaminophen dosage - too much can harm the child, especially the liver.
• Smoking- do not let anyone smoke near the child with measles.
• Photophobia - as the child may be painfully sensitive to light, keeping the lights dim or the room darkened may help. Sunglasses may also help.
• Conjunctivitis- if there is crustiness around the eyes gently cleans with damp cotton wool.
• Cough - cough medicines will not relieve the cough. Making the room more humid by placing a bowl of water may help the cough. If the child is over twelve a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of lemon juice and two teaspoons of honey may help. Do not give honey to babies.
• Dehydration - make sure the child is hydrated. If the child has a fever he/she can become dehydrated more quickly. Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids.
• Isolation - while children are contagious they should be kept away from school and should not return to activities that involve human interaction. Non-immunized people who have never had measles should be kept out of the house.
• Vitamin A supplements significantly help prevent complications caused by measles. Supplements are recommended for children with vitamin A deficiency and children under the age of two who have severe measles.
• As measles is caused by a virus antibioticswill not have any effect on it. However, sometimes antibiotics may be prescribed for any infections that may develop.

Complication from measles.

Complications from measles are fairly common, and are more likely to get worse for patients who have weak immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or leukemia, those with vitamin deficiency, and very young children. Adults over the age of 20 are more likely to have complications than healthy children over the age of 5.


Others complication, which may include:

• Diarrhea, Vomiting and Eye infection.
• Laryngitis and bronchitis- laryngitisis inflammation of the voice box. Bronchitisis inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways. About 4% of people with measles have difficulties breathing.
• Otitis media - inner ear infection and inflammation.
• Febrile convulsion - fits caused by fever. Occurs in 1 in 200 cases. May be alarming, but children usually make a full recovery.
• Pneumonia - patients with weakened immune system who develop measles are vulnerable to an especially dangerous type of pneumonia (Streptococcus pneumoniae) which can be fatal.

Less common complications are also possible:
 

• Hepatitis- liver complications in childhood measles is rare and temporary. However, it can be severe in children receiving hepatotoxic drugs (medications which may be toxic to the liver). Acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol) can harm the liver if the dose is too high. Check acetaminophen dosage with your doctor if you wish to use it to treat fever.
• Encephalitis- approximately 1 in every 1,000 patients with measles develops encephalitis. This is an inflammation of the brain which may cause vomiting, and convulsions. Coma and even death is possible, but rare. Encephalitis may occur soon after measles, or several years later.
• Thrombocytopenia - low platelet count. The blood's ability to clot is affected. The patient may bruise easily.
• Squint - eye nerves and eye muscles may be affected.

Very rare complications, but possible:

• Neuritis- infection of the optic nerve, which can lead to blindness.
• Heart complications, if you have a heart problem

Pregnancy complications
 
Measles during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, premature labor, or low birth weights. If you are planning to get pregnant and have not been vaccinated against measles talk to your doctor about getting the MMR jab.


When should children be vaccinated?

Children should receive the MMR (Mumps, Measles, Rubella) vaccine when they are between 12 and 15 months of age, and then again (a booster) before entering school when they are 4-6 years old.
Sometimes babies require vaccination before they are 12 months old. This may happen if there is a serious outbreak in their area, or if they are going to travel to an area with a serious outbreak. In such cases they can receive the vaccination from the age of 6 months, and will need a booster when they are 12 months old.
Measles is a disease caused by a virus. Measles spreads very easily among people. Usually, individuals who have measles recover in a week or two, but some people have serious complications.


How can we protect our self from measles?

• Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles.
• Vaccination of all members of the household is necessary to prevent the spread of the illness.
• Children who are 12 months or older are encouraged to get their first dose of MMR (Mumps, Measles, and Rubella) vaccine as soon as possible.
• Call your Doctor If you believe you did not receive a measles shot or if you are not sure if you have had the vaccine.
• Washing your hands often covering your cough and sneeze staying home when you are sick.
• Avoid sharing of beverages and eating utensils with person you didn’t know very well, the measles virus can survive for up to two hours in the air.
• Stay home and try to avoid contact with other people.This is a serious disease we should be aware.

All written in this article is for information and awareness only, if you feel symptoms in you self exactly alike in this article, the best thing is to consult to your doctor.


Sources/References: medical news today, public health, wikipedia, media centre.