MEASLES
Measles is a very contagious (easily spread) illness caused by a virus.
It is a vaccine-preventable disease. If a person has been immunized against measles (usually by having the 2 doses
of MMR vaccine) he will not get the disease.
Typical Progress:
Incubation period of 7 to 18 days – a person will begin to show symptoms between 7 and 18 days after contact
with the measles virus.
Period of communicability – a person can spread the virus for at least 7 days after onset of symptoms. The person
should be isolated during this time.
The infection is spread by contact with droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of an infected person. Sneezing
and coughing can put contaminated droplets into the air.
Signs and Symptoms:
Initially – during the first 4 to 5 days
Fever, feeling unwell, runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis.
Koplik’s spots –distinctive, small irregular, red spots with minute grayish-white centres occurring in the mouth.
Followed by:Generalised rash appears 3 to 4 days later along with continued high fever. It usually begins around the ears, face
and neck spreading over the torso followed by the limbs. It is a brownish–pink color and lasts between 4 and 7
days.
Generalised rash of measles
In healthy individuals the disease is self-limiting unless complications occur.
MEASLES IS A VACCINE – PREVENTABLE DISEASE.
For further information see the WHO fact sheet at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/
Prepared by GIS school nurses:- 8th October 2012