Medically reviewed by Regina Victoria Boyles, MD · Pediatrics
Measles or rubeola is an illness caused by a virus belonging to the paramyxovirus.
In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 140,000 measles-related deaths globally. Although most of these deaths were among children under the age of five, adults can also contract this disease.
The vaccine for measles was produced in 1963. Before that, a measles outbreak occurred every two to three years. Measles outbreaks caused around 2.3 million deaths worldwide.
These numbers have decreased since then, and in some parts of the world, measles have been totally eradicated.
Just recently, measles outbreaks have begun to occur again, because of a rise in people who have not received the vaccine against the disease.
Learn more about the virus, how potentially it can be life-threatening to people of all ages due complications such as diarrhea (dehydration) and pneumonia, and measles treatment and prevention measures.
This virus mainly infects the respiratory system, immune system, and the skin.
Once a person becomes infected with measles, the virus can live in the mucus found in the throat or the nose. This means that an infected person can spread the measles virus through coughing and sneezing. The measles virus can stay in the air for up to two hours, which is why it is so contagious.
In fact, 90% of people who are exposed to an infected person will become infected with measles as well. That is if the people are not yet immune to the disease.
A person with measles typically develops a rash a few days after they have become infected. However, an infected person can already spread the disease four days before the rash appears and until four days after.
The symptoms of measles usually appear around 10 to 14 days after you have been exposed to the virus. You will not usually feel any symptoms during these days.
Measles symptoms in adults usually do not vary much from the measles symptoms that appear in children.
But measles also causes other signs and symptoms. After the incubation period, a person infected with measles may start showing the following symptoms:
Although some people believe that you should not give a child a bath during a measles infection, a lukewarm sponge bath may help alleviate other measles symptoms that may cause discomfort.
Baths also ensure that a child or adult suffering measles stays clean to avoid any further secondary infections.
It is important to spot the early symptoms in order to get properly diagnosed by a doctor and to receive measles treatment and prevention tips to avoid infecting others.
It is possible to be completely immune to the disease. A person who has already been infected with measles is less at risk of developing the condition. This is because the body has already learned to fight the virus that causes measles. People who have received the complete vaccination for measles are also less at risk.
Also, just because you get the measles vaccine does not mean you are completely immune to the virus. Some people who have had the vaccine can still get infected, though the chances are very low.
The treatment for measles is mostly supportive, since the body is mostly capable of fighting off the infection on its own. However, it is important that the symptoms are treated to prevent further complications. Infections of the ears and eyes are usually treated with antibiotics.
Measles treatment for babies or adults does not differ much, doctors will always recommend giving the patient a lot of fluids and making sure that they get enough rest. Children diagnosed with measles are also advised to take age and weight-specific doses of Vitamin A to make up for the loss that happens during measles infections.
One of the best measles prevention measures is routine vaccination. The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is one effective way to prevent the disease.
As part of general measles treatment and prevention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children get two doses of this vaccine. The first dose is usually administered when a child is aged 12-15 months, while the second dose is administered when a child is between four to six years old.
Other ways to prevent getting contracting the disease:
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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