Overview
Measles is a highly contagious, RNA virus. For every single person who's infected, on average 90%of the people they come in contact with who are susceptible will become infected.Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Measles itself also weakens the immune system and can make the body “forget” how to protect itself against infections, leaving children extremely vulnerable.
Transmission
How does Measles spread?
Measles is transmitted airborne, meaning when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can stay in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person is there. Measles has an R0 (pronounced R not) of 13-18. This means for every one infected person left untreated, they will go on to infect on average between 13 to 18 individuals.
You may become infectious up to 5 days before symptoms show, and remain infectious 4-5 days after symptoms resolve. The average period of infectivity is around 2 weeks.
Symptoms
How can you identify Measles?
Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Sickness starts with a high fever typically around 104. Next it moves to infect the epithelial cells in your bronchioles, causing respiratory symptoms like a cough, runny nose, and possibly conjunctivitis (pink eye) if it moves up into your eye. After 2-3 days of symptoms you may develop small white spots in your mouth non as koplik spots which are unique to measles. These early symptoms typically last 4-7 days.
7-18 days post exposure is when the typical Measles rash, sometimes called the “Bucket of paint rash” will develop. Starting at the scalp/face, it spreads over about 3 days, eventually to the hands and feet and usually lasts 5–6 days.
Complications
What complications can arise as a result of Measles?
Complications are most common in children under 5 years and adults over age 30, as well as increased risk in children with vitamin A deficiencies or an otherwise weak/compromised immune system. Measles suppresses your immune system for weeks to months after recovery and has recently been shown to erase your immunologic memory, making the body “forget” how to protect itself against infections. Complications may include blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhea and dehydration, ear infections, severe breathing problems including pneumonia.
In every 1000 cases 1-2 deaths will occur and at least 1 will go on to develop acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles is hospitalized. Ear infections occur in about one out of every 10 children with measles, and as many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children. Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
Treatment
How can we treat Measels?
There is no treatment besides supportive care and treating symptoms as they arise. Doctors may use antibiotics to treat pneumonia, ear, and eye infections. All children or adults with measles should receive two doses of vitamin A supplements, given 24 hours apart. Drinking plenty of fluids, rehydration solutions, and a healthy diet can help relieve dehydration due to diarrhea. Community-wide vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.