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Questions and Answers
What is the primary causative agent of measles?
What is the primary causative agent of measles?
What period during the year is measles most likely to occur?
What period during the year is measles most likely to occur?
Which symptom is considered pathognomonic for measles?
Which symptom is considered pathognomonic for measles?
What is the period of communicability for measles?
What is the period of communicability for measles?
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What is the average incubation period from exposure to rash onset for measles?
What is the average incubation period from exposure to rash onset for measles?
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Study Notes
Measles Overview
- Measles is an acute, viral, infectious disease, vaccine preventable
- Measles was nearly universal in childhood, with over 90% of individuals contracting it before age 15
- Indigenous transmission of measles has been eliminated in many regions
Causative Agent
- Measles is caused by a paramyxovirus, a single-stranded RNA virus
- The virus is inactivated by heat, sunlight, acidic pH, and chemicals like ether, and trypsin
Reservoir
- The reservoir for measles is only human cases
- No animal reservoirs or carriers exist, and subclinical infections do not transmit the virus
Transmission
- Transmission occurs via large respiratory droplets and airborne transmission of aerosolized droplets in confined spaces
Temporal Pattern
- Measles primarily affects people in late winter and spring
Communicability Period
- Measles is contagious from 4 days before rash onset to 4 days after rash onset
Incubation Period
- The incubation period, from exposure to fever, averages 11-12 days
- From exposure to rash onset, the average is 14 days, ranging from 7 to 21 days
Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, and Complications
- Prodromal Stage: lasts 2 to 4 days, characterized by fever, cough, and conjunctivitis
- Koplik Spots: punctate blue-white spots on the bright red buccal mucosa; considered a diagnostic sign (pathognomonic)
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Description
Test your knowledge on measles, a viral infectious disease that is vaccine preventable. This quiz covers its causative agent, transmission methods, and other important aspects of the disease. Understand how it is communicated and its effects in various populations.
