Wednesday, September 25, 2013

MEASLES

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