Table of Contents
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by saliva droplets from sneezing, coughing and breathing. Measles viruses can also be transmitted through direct contact, eg through saliva or nasal secretions. The viruses are absorbed through the mucous membranes. After an incubation period of about eight to ten days, the first symptoms resembling normal flu appear. The typical measles rash only appears in the second stage. Measles patients are most contagious shortly after the onset of the disease, but also up to four days after the disease is cured.
Reporting requirements for measles
Measles is one of the notifiable diseases in Germany and, if suspected, must be confirmed by a doctor and reported to the health department. Those affected must stay away from kindergartens, schools, etc. and may only be admitted at the earliest five days after the outbreak of the measles rash.
Measles symptoms and course of the disease
Measles runs in two stages with two episodes of fever. There are also the following symptoms:
In the first stage (prodromal stage):
- fever
- sniffles
- Sore throat
- dry cough
- puffy face
- headache and abdominal pain
- constipation or diarrhea
- photophobia
- exhaustion
- conjunctivitis
- Koplik spots (oral mucosa)
- reddened mucous membranes of the mouth and throat
- Fever rises again
- measles rash
- spots three to six millimeters in size
- first light red, later brownish-violet
- Spots fade after four to seven days
- Skin begins to flake
Measles: Complications
Measles is most commonly associated with otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia or diarrhea . Severe inflammation of the larynx mucosa can also occur, which manifests itself with nocturnal attacks of dry, barking coughing and breathing difficulties.
Toxic measles are rarer . Patients get a very high fever and suffer from skin and mucous membrane bleeding. Mortality is very high!
Other complications include encephalitis . After about seven days it makes itself felt with headaches, fever and disturbances of consciousness. In 20 to 30 percent of those affected, damage to the central nervous system remains. Around 10 to 20 percent die from the disease.
Chronic inflammation of the brain (subcutaneous sclerosing panencephalitis) occurs very rarely about six to eight years after infection . Measles viruses penetrate the brain, multiply and thereby damage nerves. This changes behavior, leading to muscle twitching, seizures and nervous breakdowns. In the final stages, brain failure occurs.
treatment of measles
- bed rest and physical rest
- darkened and well-ventilated hospital room
- drink enough
- several small meals a day
- Calf compresses and antipyretics help against fever
Measles vaccination
Since measles is a disease that can cause serious complications, the Vaccination Committee (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute recommends having infants actively vaccinated.
The live vaccine contains weakened measles viruses without pathogenic effects. The immune system nevertheless reacts by forming antibodies, which can be detected in the blood after four to six weeks. For optimal protection, vaccinations are given between the 11th and 14th month and between the 15th and 23rd month. The vaccine is usually given with mumps and rubella vaccines.
Those who have not been vaccinated should catch up on the vaccination by the age of 18 at the latest.
Possible side effects There
are no known serious side effects. Sometimes there is redness, swelling and pain at the injection site. Lymph nodes can also swell for a short time, the body temperature increases and fatigue, headaches and gastrointestinal complaints are possible. About five percent develop weakened measles symptoms after vaccination. However, these vaccine measles are not contagious.
