Measles

MEASLES

What is Measles ?

1. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, which affects mostly children. It is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons.
2. Measles is a very contagious (easily spread) infection that causes a rash all over your body.
3. MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox) vaccines.

What causes Measles ?

• Measles is caused by a virus. 
• It is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drinks. 
• The measles virus can travel through the air.

What are the symptoms ?

The first symptoms of measles are like a bad cold—a high fever.

• Cough, runny nose, and red eyes
• Rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spread to the rest of the body
• Diarrhea
• Ear infection

Incubation Period

• appear 10–12 days after infection.

Prevention and control 

Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine:

• The first at 12-15 months of age
• The second before the start of school at 4-6 years of age.

These are the recommended ages. But children can get the second dose at any age, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

Virus

Virus

References

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/pages/conditions.aspx?Hwid=hw198187
http://www.who.int/topics/measles/en/