Measles
An acute and highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a spreading skin rash. Measles, also known as rubeola, is a potentially disastrous disease. It can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (which can cause convulsions, mental retardation, and even death), the sudden onset of low blood platelet levels with severe bleeding (acute thrombocytopenic purpura), or a chronic brain disease that occurs months to years after an attack of measles (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis).
During pregnancy, exposure to the measles virus may trigger miscarriage or premature delivery.
Treatment includes rest, calamine lotion or other anti- itching preparations to soothe the skin, non-aspirin pain relievers for fever, and in some cases antibiotics. Measles can often be prevented through vaccination. Also known as hard measles, seven-day measles, eight-day measles, nine-day measles, ten-day measles, morbilli.
See also measles encephalitis; measles immunization; measles syndrome, atypical; MMR.
Read Also:
- Measles encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain during recovery from measles infection. Measles encephalitis occurs in approximately 1 in 1,000 to 2,000 cases of measles, starting up to 3 weeks after onset of the rash and causing high fever, convulsions, and coma. It carries a 10-20 percent mortality rate and may lead to permanent central nervous system impairment.
- Measles immunization
The standard MMR vaccine is given to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). The MMR vaccine is now given in two dosages. The first should be given at 12-15 months of age. The second vaccination should be given at 4-6 years. Most children should receive MMR vaccinations. Exceptions may include children born with an […]
- Measles syndrome, atypical (AMS)
An altered expression of measles, AMS begins suddenly with high fever, headache, cough, and abdominal pain. The rash may appear 1 to 2 days later, often beginning on the limbs. Swelling (edema) of the hands and feet may occur. Pneumonia is common and may persist for 3 months or more. AMS occurs in persons who […]
- Measly
The word measly can refer to measles, and, thence, to spotty and, thence, to something that is of little value. In medicine, the measly tapeworm is the pork tapeworm (T. solium) which can be contracted through eating measly pork (pork infected with the larval form of T. solium).
- Meatus
An opening or a passageway. For example, the meatus of the ear is the opening to the ear canal.