Measles

One of the most highly contagious diseases in humans is the measles. It is caused by a virus that invades the tissues of the respiratory system, particularly the lungs and throat passages. The most visible sign of measles is a rash that covers the face and body during the course of the disease. Although adults can get measles, it is more common in children. Measles is also known by the name rubeola.

How measles is spread
When a person infected with the measles virus coughs or sneezes, thousands of tiny particles of the virus are spread into the air. If an uninfected and unvaccinated person inhales these, he or she will become immediately infected. The virus particles make themselves at home in the moist passages of the nose, throat, and lungs.

Symptoms
The first symptoms, or signs, of measles appear about 10 to 14 days after a person is exposed to the measles virus. The earliest signs of the disease resemble those of the flu. The patient has a runny nose, a sore throat, and a fever. The fever is usually very high, sometimes as high as 104 ° or 105 ° F (40 ° C). The lining of the eyes becomes inflamed and very red. This condition is called conjunctivitis. Tiny bluish white spots appear on the insides of the cheeks. Within several days, a red rash appears on the face and behind the ears. The rash then spreads to the rest of the body.

For most patients, the symptoms of the disease do not go any further. In some patients, however, complications can occur. These include pneumonia, an illness that occurs when the lungs become infected. The measles virus can also attack the brain, causing an illness called encephalitis. This complication can cause the patient to have convulsions, or to go into a coma. If the virus infects the liver, it can cause the disease hepatitis. All of these complications are very serious. In some instances, they can be fatal.

Treatment
A case of the measles generally lasts 10 to 12 days, though with complications it will last much longer. The patient must get plenty of rest and drink fluids. Some people who are infected with the measles find bright light to be painful. In these cases, the patient's room should be kept dark. Because of the danger of complications, and also because measles is so easily spread, it is extremely important for the patient to stay home until completely recovered.

Prevention
When a disease is as contagious as measles, it is very important to prevent it from spreading and becoming an epidemic. An epidemic occurs when large numbers of people are infected with the same disease within a short period of time. Epidemics can spread across cities, states, and continents, and they can even spread around the world.

One way to prevent the spread of disease is through vaccination, or the use of substances that prevent people from getting the disease. Scientists have developed a very effective vaccine against measles. The vaccine also protects against mumps and rubella (sometimes called German measles). It is usually given to children twice before they can attend school. In the United States, the vaccine is widely available. In some countries, it is not available, and those countries suffer frequent epidemics. It is very important to discuss the vaccine, and the disease, with a doctor.