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showMeasles, also known as rubeola, is a contagious viral disease. Sneezing and coughing, close personal contact or direct contact with a contaminated person are the ways measles spreads. A 2019 study found that measles kills 300 children every day and infects more than 6 million people annually [1].
Complications of measles include blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, and pneumonia are what lead to measles-related deaths. HIV/AIDS, vitamin A deficiency, and poor nutrition can increase the severity of measles.
Getting the right treatment on time can help reduce the symptoms and speed up recovery. Here’s a quick glance at the causes, symptoms and treatment for measles.
Symptoms | High temperature, blocked or runny nose, coughing, sneezing, white spots in the mouth, rashes |
Complications | Otitis media, laryngotracheobronchitis, diarrhoea and bronchopneumonia |
Causes | Getting in contact with a contaminated person, from pregnant mothers to their babies |
Onset | Within a week or two after contact with the virus |
Diagnosis | Laboratory blood and tissue test |
Prevention | MMR vaccine, MMRV vaccine |
Medication | Fever reducers, Antibiotics, Vitamin A medications |
Check out the detailed overview of measles and its symptoms, types, diagnosis, treatment and complications.
Some of the most common symptoms of measles are as follows:
A broad rash on the skin is a typical measles symptom. This rash generally emerges within 14 days of viral contact and can last up to 7 days. Usually, it starts from the head and then gradually spreads to the rest of the body.
Measles is among the most contagious diseases, which can spread to up to 90% of vulnerable people in close contact with a patient. The virus spreads through the air when a contaminated person coughs, breathes, or sneezes or through direct contact with infectious droplets. After an infected individual has left a location, the measles virus can remain contagious in the air for almost two hours [2].
Measles comes in two different forms. Despite having similar symptoms, they are brought on by various viruses [3]:
Consult your primary healthcare physician if you or a member of your family have measles; they may suggest that you see a measles expert. Your doctor may inquire about your vaccination history, as well as the signs of measles.
Medical professionals should take measles into consideration when treating patients, especially if the patient has recently gone abroad or has been exposed to someone who has a febrile rash and has febrile rash sickness and clinically comparable measles symptoms. Healthcare professionals will need to notify their regional health department of any suspected measles cases [2].
Here are the types of measles tests done for the diagnosis of the disease:
All sporadic measles cases and outbreaks must have a laboratory confirmation. The two most popular techniques for determining measles infection are detecting the measles-specific IgM antibody in serum and measles RNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in respiratory samples. At the time of initial contact with a patient suspected of having measles, healthcare professionals should collect a serum sample as well as a throat swab. Additionally, collecting respiratory as well as urine samples can improve the chance of finding the measles virus.
The measles virus genotype can also be determined through molecular analysis. The measles virus’s transmission routes are mapped using genotyping. The genetic information can be used to link or dissociate instances and to identify the origin of imported cases. The only means to differentiate between a rash brought on by a recent measles vaccination and a wild-type measles virus infection is by genotyping.
For the majority of measles cases, the result is great. The patient becomes immune to contracting the disease again once it has passed. Further, employers should arrange for a plan for infection control if their workers are vulnerable to the disease [4].
Once measles has been contracted, there is no specific medication available. Resting and other comfort measures are provided as part of the course of treatment, in addition to addressing any complications that may arise [5].
Through supportive care that promotes healthy nutrition, appropriate fluid intake, and treatment of dehydration, severe consequences from measles can be decreased. Antibiotics must be provided for the treatment of pneumonia, ear infections, and eye infections.
Two doses of vitamin A supplements, taken two days apart, should be provided to every child who has been diagnosed with measles. This medication can help avoid eye damage and blindness by restoring low vitamin A levels that can happen during measles, even in children who are well-nourished. Supplemental vitamin A has also been demonstrated to lower measles-related fatalities.
The most effective strategy to prevent the spreading of measles is by far vaccination. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination have helped to largely eradicate the infection across the globe. Measles is still present, it’s simply not as common as it once was.
After two doses, the MMR vaccine is 97% effective. Doctors advise giving children their first dose between the ages of 12 and 15 months and their second dose between the ages of 4 and 6 years [5].
Bronchopneumonia, otitis media, laryngotracheobronchitis, and diarrhoea are common side effects of measles. Measles can result in a serious disease needing hospitalisation, even in youngsters who were previously healthy [2].
Measles is a disease that does not have a known cure, so all children are vaccinated against measles. Measles vaccines cost around Rs.200 in India. Cost of vitamins, antibiotics, nutritive diet, etc. can vary widely.
In India, measles is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children. According to recent studies, measles and its consequences cause 80,000 child fatalities annually in India, accounting for 4% of all mortality in children under the age of five.
It is vital to opt for a comprehensive health insurance policy given the escalating cost of quality treatment. Navi Health Insurance offers cashless treatment at 10,000+ network hospitals, unlimited online consultations, yearly check-ups and other perks for premiums starting at just Rs.234 per month. Get a quote now!
Measles symptoms often include a high fever, runny nose, cough, and watery eyes and start to show 7 to 14 days after first coming into contact with the virus.
Measles can be quite dangerous. Complications are more likely to affect kids under the age of five and adults over the age of twenty. Diarrhoea and ear infections are frequent side effects. Encephalitis and pneumonia are serious side effects.
The majority of people recover from this disease in 7 to 10 days, but occasionally it might cause life-threatening complications. According to estimates, 1 in every 5,000 measles patients will pass away as a result of the virus.
After an infected individual has left the area, the measles virus can survive for up to 2 hours in the air.
Despite the fact that the incubation period, the period of time between exposure to the measles virus and onset of the first symptoms, is typically between 10 and 14 days, it can occasionally go beyond that.
https://www.nhp.gov.in/measles-immunization2020_pg
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/index.html
https://ada.com/conditions/measles/
https://www.osha.gov/measles/control-prevention
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles
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