Measles Flashcards
How is measles spread?
By droplets
What is the incubation period of measles?
10-14 days
When is it infective?
From prodrome to 4 days after rash starts
What are the features of prodrome?
Irritable, conjunctivitis and fever
What can you get inside the mouth and do they occur before or during the rash?
Koplik spots.
They occur before the rash.
Describe the rash that occurs in measles.
It starts behind the ears and then spreads to the whole body.
It is a discrete maculopapular rash.
What are some complications of measles?
- Encephalitis: typically occurs 1-2 weeks following the onset of the illness)
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: very rare, may present 5-10 years following the illness
- Febrile convulsions
- Giant cell pneumonia
- Keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulceration
- Diarrhoea
- Increased incidence of appendicitis
- Myocarditis
If a child has not been immunized against measles but then comes into contact with measles, what should be done?
Offer them the MMR within 72 hours of contact.
(vaccine-induced measles antibody develops more rapidly than that following natural infection)
Does measles cause impotency?
No MUMPS does!!!
What is the school exclusion criteria for measles?
4 days from onset of rash.
