Measles
| THIS IS A VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASE!! | |
|---|---|
| Etiology | RNA paramyxovirus |
| Epidemiology | - aerosol transmission - incubation period = 10-14 days - Patients are infectious from 4 days before the rash to 4 days after. |
| Clinical presentation | Fever, rash beginning on head → trunk + resolution of fever once rash appears Red spots on buccal mucosa = Koplik spots Complications: - pneumonia - otitis media - encephalopathy - SSPE - can occur 7-10 years after initial infection |
| Pathogenesis | |
| Diagnostic investigations | Oral fluid IgM - acute infection (false positive with rubella or parvovirus B19) |
| Management | Supportive. ➥ Droplet spread = respiratory precautions ➥ Nutrition ➥ Isolation, treat secondary bacterial infection if present. ➥ School exclusion: 4 days from onset of rash Public health: Notifiable disease |
Measles mumps rubella - NB contraindicated during pregnancy although no known risks (as per GOV.UK website - postpartum vax recommended)