Measles

Dr Paul T Francis, MD Prof. Com Med, Zawiya 7th April Uni., Libya

Measles

Is an acute disease characterized by fever and rash First described by Dr Abu Becr and called Hasbah Measles is a disease seen throughout the world Measles is a serious and common disease of children Incidence of Measles in Libya is very low due to almost complete coverage with Measles vaccine The mortality due to Measles occurs mostly in children who are malnourished

Agent factors

Agent - Measles virus Source of infection mouth, nose and throat secretions Period of infectivity 4 days before and 5 days after the appearance of rash

Host factors

Age most cases occur between 6 months to 5 years Measles attack gives lifelong immunity Measles mortality is 400 times more in malnourished children

Environmental factors

More common in winter months

Measles

Mode of transmission

Droplet infection

Incubation period

10 days Pre-eruptive stage Eruptive stage

Disease divided into

Clinical features

Pre-eruptive stage

3-4 days Fever, cough, running nose and redness of eyes Kopliks spots bluish-white spot on buccal mucosal membrane

Clinical features

Eruptive stage

Typically appears on the 4th day Red colored maculo-papular rash Starts from the face and covers the whole body in 2-4 days By the 5th or 6th day the rash begins to disappear

Child with Measles rash

Complications

Bronchitis Bronchopneumonia Otitis media Encephalitis Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (after some years)

Prevention

Patients should be isolated() Measles vaccine live attenuated In Libya Measles is given combined() with Mumps and Rubella (MMR=Mumps, Measles and Rubella) Two doses are given

First dose at 12 months Second dose at 18 months

Measles vaccine

Measles vaccine is not given early() because the infants( )have maternal antibodies they got through the placenta(), which will make the vaccine ineffective() . WHO is trying to eliminate Measles