MEASLES

Question 1

How is the measles virus spread?

Answer 1

Air borne droplets

Question 2

During what period of measles is someone infective?

Answer 2

From prodrome until 4 after rash develops

Question 3

What is the incubation period for measles?

Answer 3

10-14 days

Question 4

What are the pro-dromal features of measles?

Answer 4

Irritability
Fever
Conjunctivitis

Question 5

What skin features might someone with measles develop before developing the full blown rash?

Answer 5

Koplik spots: white spots (‘grain of salt’) on buccal mucosa

Question 6

What are the features of the rash associated with measles?

Answer 6

Starts behind ears then to whole body, discrete maculopapular rash becoming blotchy & confluent

Question 7

What are the complications of measles?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

How are measles patients managed?

Answer 8

Conservative management with hydration and rest

Question 9

How would you manage the contacts of a patient suffering from measles?

Answer 9

If a child not immunized against measles comes into contact with measles then MMR should be offered (vaccine-induced measles antibody develops more rapidly than that following natural infection). This should be given within 72 hours