From the Guidelines
Measles (Rubeola) is a severe disease that can lead to complications such as diarrhea, middle ear infection, bronchopneumonia, and encephalitis, with a mortality rate of 1-2 per 1,000 reported cases in the United States, and up to 25% in developing countries. The symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, and small white spots inside the mouth called Koplik spots, followed by a characteristic red rash appearing after 3-5 days 1. The disease can be severe, especially in infants, young children, and adults, with the most common causes of death being pneumonia and acute encephalitis 1.
Common Complications
- Diarrhea
- Middle ear infection
- Bronchopneumonia
- Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
- Death
The risk of death from measles or its complications is greater for certain populations, including infants, young children, and adults, than for older children and adolescents 1. In developing countries, measles is often more severe, with a higher case-fatality rate 1.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment for measles focuses on supportive care, including rest, fluids, and fever reducers, as well as vitamin A supplementation to reduce severity and mortality 1. Antibiotics may be prescribed if bacterial complications develop 1. Prevention through vaccination is crucial, as measles is highly contagious, with the MMR vaccine providing effective protection when given at 12-15 months with a booster at 4-6 years of age.
From the Research
Symptoms of Measles
- Fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis followed by a characteristic rash 2, 3, 4, 5
- Maculopapular rash 5
- Symptoms can be milder or even absent in vaccinated individuals 5
Complications of Measles
- Diarrhea 2, 3, 6, 5
- Otitis media 2, 3, 6, 5
- Pneumonia 2, 3, 5
- Encephalitis 2
- Laryngotracheobronchitis 5
- Stomatitis 5
- Neurological complications, such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, measles inclusion body encephalitis, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis 5
Management and Prevention
- Supportive therapy, such as vitamin A supplementation, monitoring for and treatment of secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics, and rehydration in the case of severe diarrhea 3, 4, 5
- No specific antiviral therapy for the treatment of measles 5
- Prevention through vaccination, with a live attenuated vaccine developed in 1958 2
- Importance of increasing global coverage with two doses of measles vaccine to prevent outbreaks and achieve regional elimination and global eradication 3