Measles: Know about the causes, symptoms & prevention

Measles: Know about the causes, symptoms & prevention

What is measles?

Measles is a contagious viral illness associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Measles spreads by air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes and the aerosolised particles are inhaled.

Symptoms of measles

It is maximally transmitted during the prodromal stage i.e. 4-5 days before appearance of measles rash.

Within 7 to 14 days of exposure to measles, the virus replicates throughout the body to cause high fever, cough, running nose with red eyes without pus discharge. Occasionally there can be vomiting or loose motions.  Inside the inner cheeks, especially opposite the lower premolar teeth, a characteristic 1 mm white spots can be seen called as Koplik spots which vanish after 72 hours when rash begins. The red spots of measles rash start on face and then spreads downwards within 3 days to the trunk, arms and legs. After 3 days, the rash fades and changes to brown or copper colour.

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in measles and can also occur due to secondary bacterial infections. Other serious complications include acute encephalitis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication which can occur 7-10 years later with progressive neurological deterioration. Measles can have a severe course in those who are malnourished and those who are immunocompromised.

Which tests can diagnose measles

Laboratory diagnosis is based on detection of measles specific IgM antibody in the blood, (detectable about 2 days after onset of rash). Virus can also be detected by PCR from throat swabs and urine samples.

Role of vaccination in preventing measles

Measles is best prevented. Measles vaccine is available in the routine immunisation programme in combination against rubella (German measles) as Measles-rubella (MR) vaccine (given at 9 and 15 months). Indian Academy of Paediatrics recommends MMR vaccine which also includes vaccine for Mumps at 9 months, 15 months and 5 years. Two doses are very effective in preventing measles.

If a child has not been vaccinated at the mentioned age, the vaccination should be given at the earliest to prevent complications.

There is no measles specific treatment or antiviral, vitamin A supplementation is useful to boost immunity during illness.

Dr Dhanya Dharmapalan

Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai