Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary cause of measles?
What is the primary cause of measles?
- Fungi
- Parasites
- Measles virus (correct)
- Bacteria
During which season is measles most commonly reported?
During which season is measles most commonly reported?
- Winter
- Late winter and spring (correct)
- Summer
- Autumn
What increment in time does the incubation period for measles typically cover?
What increment in time does the incubation period for measles typically cover?
- 1 to 3 days
- 2 to 8 weeks
- 7 to 21 days (correct)
- 5 to 10 days
Which symptom is characteristic during the prodromal stage of measles?
Which symptom is characteristic during the prodromal stage of measles?
What is true about the transmission of measles?
What is true about the transmission of measles?
Flashcards
What is measles?
What is measles?
Measles is a contagious viral infection that's preventable with a vaccine.
What causes measles?
What causes measles?
The measles virus, a paramyxovirus, is responsible for causing the illness.
How does measles spread?
How does measles spread?
Measles spreads through the air via infected droplets, such as coughs and sneezes.
How long does it take for measles symptoms to appear?
How long does it take for measles symptoms to appear?
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What are the early signs of measles?
What are the early signs of measles?
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Study Notes
Measles Overview
- Measles is an acute, viral, infectious, vaccine-preventable disease
- Measles virus was nearly universal in childhood, with over 90% of people infected before age 15
- Indigenous transmission of measles has been eliminated in many parts of the world
Causative Agent
- Measles virus is a paramyxovirus
- Single-stranded RNA virus
- Only one antigenic type
- Rapidly inactivated by heat, sunlight, acidic pH, ether, and trypsin
Reservoir
- Only human cases
- No known animal reservoir
- No carriers or subclinical infections
Transmission
- Transmission via large respiratory droplets and airborne transmission of aerosolized droplet nuclei in closed areas
Temporal Pattern
- Primarily occurs during late winter and spring
Communicability Period
- Transmissible from 4 days before rash onset through 4 days after rash onset
Incubation Period
- From exposure to fever: 11-12 days
- From exposure to rash onset: 14 days (range 7-21 days)
Clinical Features and Complications
- Prodromal stage: lasts 2-4 days, characterized by fever, cough, and conjunctivitis
- Koplik spots: punctate blue-white spots on bright red buccal mucosa; considered pathognomonic (characteristic) to measles
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