MEASLES

Measles = Disease

Measles virus = virus

Single stranded RNA (ssRNA) virus

Transmitted via respiratory droplets, fomites, airborne for up to 2 hours. If not vaccinated and exposed to virus one-time 90% get measles

Incubation period 7-14 days; transmit for 4 days before the rash and 4 days after the rash

Signs and Symptoms:

Fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, sore throat, malaise, blotchy rash (starts on head), Koplik spots in mouth (tiny white spots with bluish-white centers)

Testing looks for antibodies in the blood, culture, PCR

30% develop 1 or more of these complications:

• 1 in 10 get ear infection (deafness)
• 1 in 20 get pneumonia (death)
• 1 in 1000 get encephalitis (brain damage)
• 1-2 in 1000 die from respiratory or neurological complications

MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine (2 shot series 93% effective after one dose 97% effective after two doses)