measles
The classical signs and symptoms of measles include four-day fevers [ the 4 D's ] and the three Cs � cough, coryza (head cold), and conjunctivitis (red eyes) � along with fever, anorexia, and rashes. The fever may reach up to 40 �C (104 �F). Koplik's spots seen inside the mouth are pathognomonic (diagnostic) for measles, but are not often seen, even in real cases of measles, because they are transient and may disappear within a day of arising.
The characteristic measles rash is classically described as a generalized, maculopapular, erythematous rash that begins several days after the fever starts. It starts on the back of the ears and, after a few hours, spreads to the head and neck before spreading to cover most of the body, often causing itching. The measles rash appears two to four days after the initial symptoms and lasts for up to eight days. The rash is said to "stain", changing color from red to dark brown, before disappearing.[5]
Complications[edit]
Complications with measles are relatively common, ranging from mild and less serious complications such as diarrhea to more serious ones such as pneumonia,[6] otitis media,[7] acute encephalitis (and very rarely SSPE � subacute sclerosing panencephalitis),[8] and corneal ulceration (leading to corneal scarring).[9] Complications are usually more severe in adults who catch the virus.[10] The death rate in the 1920s was around 30% for measles pneumonia.[11]
Between the years 1987 and 2000, the case fatality rate across the United States was 3 measles-attributable deaths per 1000 cases, or 0.3%.[12] In underdeveloped nations with high rates of malnutrition and poor healthcare, fatality rates have been as high as 28%.[12] In immunocompromised patients (e.g. people with AIDS) the fatality rate is approximately 30%.[13]
Cause[edit]
Measles
Measles virus electron micrograph
Virus classification
Group: Group V ((-)ssRNA)
Order: Mononegavirales
Family: Paramyxoviridae
Subfamily: Paramyxovirinae
Genus:
The characteristic measles rash is classically described as a generalized, maculopapular, erythematous rash that begins several days after the fever starts. It starts on the back of the ears and, after a few hours, spreads to the head and neck before spreading to cover most of the body, often causing itching. The measles rash appears two to four days after the initial symptoms and lasts for up to eight days. The rash is said to "stain", changing color from red to dark brown, before disappearing.[5]
Complications[edit]
Complications with measles are relatively common, ranging from mild and less serious complications such as diarrhea to more serious ones such as pneumonia,[6] otitis media,[7] acute encephalitis (and very rarely SSPE � subacute sclerosing panencephalitis),[8] and corneal ulceration (leading to corneal scarring).[9] Complications are usually more severe in adults who catch the virus.[10] The death rate in the 1920s was around 30% for measles pneumonia.[11]
Between the years 1987 and 2000, the case fatality rate across the United States was 3 measles-attributable deaths per 1000 cases, or 0.3%.[12] In underdeveloped nations with high rates of malnutrition and poor healthcare, fatality rates have been as high as 28%.[12] In immunocompromised patients (e.g. people with AIDS) the fatality rate is approximately 30%.[13]
Cause[edit]
Measles
Measles virus electron micrograph
Virus classification
Group: Group V ((-)ssRNA)
Order: Mononegavirales
Family: Paramyxoviridae
Subfamily: Paramyxovirinae
Genus: