Measles
Measles is one of the classic childhood exanthems (Measles,
Rubella, Chickenpox,
Roseola, Fifth Disease). Measles still kills
100,000 - 200,000
people annually on a global level.
Summary
- Cause: Measles virus (paramyxovirus)
- Transmission: Respiratory droplets
- Symptoms: cough, conjunctivitis, runny nose, Koplik spots in mouth,
rash with fever
- Pathogenesis: Infection of respiratory tract leads to primary
viremia. From there the virus infects almost any cell, causing cell fusion
and inclusions, resulting in cell lysis. Damage to vascular endothelium by
T-cells causes measles rash (with T-cell deficiency there is no rash).
- Complications: encephalitis (15% mortality), pneumonia, SSPE (rare)
- Treatment: supportive
- Immunity: life-long
- Vaccine: MMR
Links