MEASLES

The term “Measles” can be described as an acute respiratory disease that is caused by viral infections. The complications of this disease include acute diarrhoea and ear infections. In some patients, it can result in creating life-threatening conditions by causing serious infections of the brain and pneumonia. By the last stage of this guide, analysis of the concept of measles disease and measles symptoms could be evaluated. 

What is measles? 

Measles can be described as highly contagious and an acute disease caused by viral infections. Development of symptoms in the patients usually occurs 10 to 12 days after the patient has been exposed to another infected person. This disease has been caused by an enveloped type of RNA virus. The virus is single-stranded and has one serotype. This disease usually lasts for 7 to 10 days after being diagnosed. The spreading of measles occurs very easily by coughing and sneezing from one infected person to another person. Human beings are considered as the natural home that is responsible for carrying the measles virus. However, this infectious disease can be prevented by giving vaccines to children. It can also spread by the secretion of the nose from the infected person to another person. In India, about 24,076 measles cases have been recorded in the year 2019 which has been lower than in 2018.

Aspects of measles meaning

A red and blotchy rash has been caused by the occurrence of measles disease. These rashes first occur in the face and then they occur in the backside portion of the ear. After that these rashes are spread up to the chest of the infected person. Finally, these rashes occur at the feet of the infected person. Measles can be subdivided into four distinct phases such as incubation period, prodromal phase, rash period, and recovery period. The period of incubation generally lasts for 8-12 days and is not characterised by any type of specific symptoms. The prodromal stage of measles is characterised by conjunctivitis, fever, cough, and nasal secretions. This stage generally lasts for 3 to 4 days after the occurrence. The rash phase lasts approximately up to 2 to 4 days after the occurrence of rashes in the body of the infected person. However, the rashes that are caused by the occurrence of this disease are not itchy. Approximately 4 to 5 days after the occurrence of the rashes, they start to subside causing the recovery stage of this disease. About 76.4 million people in India are affected by the occurrence of this disease. Children under the age of five years are being affected by this disease in India.

Measles symptoms are seen in patients

The symptoms of this disease include a runny nose, high fever, cough, and watery eyes. Red eyes and red rashes are the measles symptoms that can occur by the occurrence of this disease. Acute symptoms of this disease include 

• Pneumonia and infections of the brain

• Presence of white spots in the mouth and sore throat.

• The rashes look like red spots on the face of the patients and gradually affect the patients’ bodies

• Tiredness and severe pain in muscles. 

• Rashes in face

• Nasal secretions and barky coughs. 

• Sneezing

• Loss of Appetite

Types of measles

The types of this disease include red measles and German measles. The red measles is also called hardness measles and they are caused by the rubeola virus. German types of measles are caused by the rubella virus and they are characterised by mild types of symptoms than standard measles. The red measles is more contagious than the German measles. In India, red measles mostly affects children below age one.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that measles occurs by the spreading of the virus from the infected person to another person. The spreading of the infections of the virus is caused by the nasal secretions and coughs of the patients. These measles symptoms can be prevented by giving MMR vaccines to children. Moreover, intake of sufficient amounts of vitamin A can also help in the prevention of this disease. This disease is characterised by the occurrence of red rashes which are not itchy. Small children who are less than the age of 12 months and people who are not vaccinated are prone to this disease.