Measles is a infectious disease caused by paramyxovirus(Measles virus).
Causative agent: RNA paramyxovirus
Incubation Period: 10-14 days

Source of Infection: cases (carriers are not known)
Secondary attack rate of Measles is about  80%.

Period of Communicability: 4 days before and 5 days after the appearance of rash. It declines rapidly after appearance of rash.
measles rash
Measles Rash

Symptoms : Fever >104F, Malaise, followed by 3C’s(Cough, Coryza, conjunctivitis), Rash(Retro-auricular origin, maculopapular)
Measles is highly infectious during pro-dromal period and during eruption.

Kopliks spots(Physical exam) appear as rash disappears.
koplik's spots
WHO Measles elimination strategy comprises a three Part Vaccination strategy 
- Catch up 
- Keep up 
- Follow up

Treatment:
- Symptomatic treatment
- vitamin A (200,000 U daily for 2 days) reduces mortality in children < 2 y 
- Immunoglobulin administration (indicated for use in exposed individuals to alter clinical disease)

Complications:
1) Common complications of Measles:
– Diarrhoea
– Pneumonia and other respiratory complications
Otitis media: Most Common in children
2) Serious complications of Measles:
– Febrile convulsions
– Encephalitis
– Sub-acute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE)


Sub-acute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE):
It is also called Dawson’s encephalitis, Dawson’s disease.

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