Formerly known as MORBILLI, this is an acute infectious disease occurring mostly in children and caused by an RNA paramyxovirus.
There has been a dramatic fall in the number of sufferers from 1990, when more than 870,000 cases were reported. This is due to the introduction in 1963 of measles vaccine, and in 1988 of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR VACCINE – see also IMMUNISATION). In 2013, there were over 10,000 reported case within European Union countries with 8 children suffering ENCEPHALITIS and 3 deaths. Most cases after 1990 are in unimmunised children, some of whose parents may have been influenced by scientifically unproven and subsequently discredited claims of a link between the vaccine with AUTISM.
The incubation period, during which the child is well, lasts 7–21 days. Initial symptoms are CATARRH, conjunctivitis (see EYE, DISORDERS OF), fever and a feeling of wretchedness. Then KOPLIK'S SPOTS – a classic sign of measles – appear on the roof of the mouth and lining of the cheeks. The macular body rash, typical of measles, appears 3–5 days later. Common complications include otitis media (see under EAR, DISEASES OF) and PNEUMONIA. Measles ENCEPHALITIS can cause permanent brain damage and is sometimes fatal. A rare event is a gradual dementing disease (see DEMENTIA) called subacute sclerosing panenecephalitis (SSPE).
Isolation of the patient and treatment of any secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or otitis, with antibiotics. Children usually run a high temperature which can be relieved with cool sponging and antipyretic drugs. Calamine lotion may alleviate any itching.