measles is paramyxovirus infection is endemic world-wide. It is probably the most infectious of all microbial agents. Before immunisation campaigns, measles occurred in almost 100% of children. Maternal antibody gives protection for the first 6 months of life. In temperate areas there is a natural epidemic cycle every 2-3 years, less obvious in the tropics. With live attenuated vaccine, the condition is potentially completely controllable by immunisation .
causative organism
- measles virus belongs to paramixo virus group.
route of infection
- droplet infection
period of infectivity
- 4 days before to 5 days after appearance of rashes
incubatiion period
- 6-19 days
clinical features
- fever
- rash over a whole dody
- cough
- running nose
- red eye/conjunctivitis
- lacrmination
- presence of koplik's spots
complications
- pneumonia
- otitis media
- laryngitis
- primary tb may be flare up
- encephalitis
- meningitis
Management and prevention
- vitamin A may improve outcome in uncomplicated disease.
- antibiotic therapy for secondary infection & bacterial complication.
- all children aged 12-15 months should receves measles vaccination,and further MMR dose at the age of 4 years.
NATURAL ILLNESS PRODUCE LIFELONG IMMUNITY
ref:davidson's medisine 21th edition
laxman dhakal