Measles Symptoms, Transmission, Prevention!

What is measles and How it is caused?

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases caused by a virus. It spreads easily when someone with measles breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Anyone can get sick, but it's more common in children. 

The virus starts in the respiratory tract and then goes through the whole body. You can catch measles by being near someone with it or touching surfaces they touched. The virus stays active for up to two hours in the air or on things. If one person has measles, they can make nine out of 10 people close to them sick if they're not vaccinated. 

Measles symptoms show up 10-14 days after being near the virus. Early signs last 4-7 days and include: 

• A runny nose, 

• Cough, 

• Red eyes, and 

• Small white spots inside the cheeks. 

A rash starts about 7-18 days later, It starts as red spots on your face, then spreads down the body. Smaller raised white spots may merge on the red rash, as it progresses. It lasts 5-6 days before fading. 

Measles has no cure; the virus runs its course in approximately 10 to 14 days. The measles vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the virus and ensures immunity. 

Source1:-Measles. (2024, February 9). Measles. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles 

Source2:-Kondamudi NP, Waymack JR. Measles. [Updated 2023 Aug 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448068/