|
|
Measles:
General Information
Measles:
Background of disease |
|
|
The
disease of measles and the organism that causes it (a virus) share
the same name. The disease is also called rubeola. Other rash-causing
diseases often confused with measles are roseola
(roseola infantum) and rubella (German measles), among others.
The
virus is spread from person to person through direct contact with
respiratory droplets. Measles is a disease of humans; there is no
reservoir of measles virus in any other animal species.
One of the earliest written descriptions of measles as a disease
was provided by an Arab physician in the 9th century who described
differences between measles and smallpox in his medical notes.
A
Scottish physician, Francis Home, demonstrated in 1757 that measles
was caused by an infectious agent present in the blood of patients.
In 1954 the virus that causes measles was isolated in Boston, Massachusetts,
by John F. Enders and Thomas C. Peebles.
|
Measles:
Incidence
|
|
|
In
countries and regions of the world that are able to keep
vaccination coverage high-- around 95%-- measles is very rare. In
North and South America, Finland, and some other areas, endemic measles
transmission is considered to have been interrupted through vaccination.
There are still sporadic cases of measles in the United States because
visitors from other countries can become infected before or during
travel and spread the infection to unvaccinated or unprotected persons.
Worldwide,
there are estimated to be 30 million cases and 700,000 deaths each
year. More than half of the deaths occur in Africa. During 1997-1998,
about 100 deaths were attributed to measles in Argentina and Brazil
during large outbreaks in those countries.
More
information on measles in the United States and elsewhere
|
Measles:
Description of classic measles |
|
|
When
reference is made to "classic" measles, it means a case
of measles that follows the typical, uncomplicated on childhood
illnesses. When measles was common, most physicians readily recognized
the disease and the clinical diagnosis was usually accurate. A typical
case of measles includes 2-3 days of respiratory symptoms- coryza,
cough, conjunctivitis and fever. A maculopapular rash appears first
on the hairline and over the face, moving down gradually to the
trunk and limbs. The temperature may also rise during the time when
rash appears. After a few days, the fever subsides and the rash
fades in the order of its appearance.
More
information of symptoms of measles
|
Measles:
Complications |
|
|
About
20% of measles cases develop one or more complications, including
pneumonia, which is the complication that is most often the cause
of death in young children. Ear infections occur in about 1 in 10
measles cases and permanent loss of hearing can result. Diarrhea
is reported in about 8% of cases.
Even
in previously healthy children, measles can be a serious illness
requiring hospitalization. For about 1-2 children per 1,000 children
infected with measles, the disease is fatal. Measles can cause a
brain infection (encephalitis) which can result in subsequent mentalimpairment
or deafness. This complication occurs within two weeks of the onset
of rash and is diagnosed in about one in 1,000 cases of measles.
More
information on complications
|
What
is SSPE?(Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis) |
|
|
SSPE
is a rare, but fatal degenerative disease of the central nervous
system that results from a measles virus infection acquired earlier
in life. The first signs of SSPE may be changes in personality,
a gradual onset of mental deterioration and myoclonia (muscle spasms
or jerks). The diagnosis of SSPE is based on clinical presentation
as well as typical changes observed in electroencephalographs, an
elevated anti-measles antibody (IgG) in the serum and cerebrospinal
fluid, and typical histologic findings in brain biopsy tissue. There
are variations in the progression of the various stages of the disease.
In some cases, the cognitive decline may continue for years before
progression to more severe neuromuscular disorders are observed,
and thus the diagnosis may be delayed or missed. There are reports
of remission and some treatments are treatments are available; however,
the average survival is 1-2 years.
More
about SSPE
|
|
|
|
|
If
a doctor suspects a case of measles, it should be reported to the
state health
department. Blood samples for and/or urine samples for viral
cultures should be collected.
|
In
the United States, during the epidemic of measles in 1989-1991,
there were over 55,000 cases and 123 deaths.
|
In
the Western Hemisphere, measles has become a rare disease and physicians
may fail to recognize a case of measles.
|
In
developing countries where malnutrition is rampant, measles can
cause blindness. Mortality rates can be as high as 10% .
|
SSPE
occurs 7-10 years (on average) after measles infection.
|
|
|
|
|