- An infection of the respiratory system caused by paramyxovirus - Round-shaped and 150~300nm in diameter - Causes not only measles, but also mumps, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia in human body - Usually a benign infection - Responsible for deaths of children 6 months to 10 years old
Image of paramyxovirus
Structure of Paramyxovirus -The genome of measles virus contains 15,894 base pairs which code at least 6 protein products including nucleocapsid protein, phosphoprotein, matrix protein, fusion protein, hemagglutinin protein and large polymerase.
2.Viral Specificity:
- Enters the host by respiration and remains contagious on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours - Travels to the back of the throat, lungs, and then to other parts of the body - Reproduces in cytoplasm of the host cell during the 8 to 12 days of incubation period before symptoms begin
3.Symptoms and progression of the disease:
- Rhinitis, drowsiness, loss of appetite, gradual elevation of temperature for the first 2 days - Rash on the inner cheek on the second or third day, which later extends to the body and extremities- A cough due to bronchitis produced by the inflammation of the mucous membranes - The temperature drop in uncomplicated cases 5 days after the appearance of the rash - Common complications: diarrhoea, vomiting, eye infection (conjunctivitis), and inflammation of the voice box (laryngitis)
The measles rash
4.Common Methods of Transmission:
- Spread through respiration (i.e. coughing and sneezing) - Transmittable any time from 4 days prior to the onset of the rash to 4 days after the onset Measles virus spreads through respiration (i.e.coughing)
5.Treatment and Prevention:
- Antipruritic medication and tepid sponde baths as ordered - Combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine- Combination measles-mumps-rubella-vericella(MMRV) vaccine - If potentially infectious, limit contact with others, avoid public transportation, and call ahead before visiting a clinique
6.Miscellaneous:
-Began in the 7th century A.D. - Described by Rhazes, a Persian philosopher and physician, as “more dreaded than smallpox” in the 10th century A.D. - Used to be an expected life event for everyone - In 2002, number six on list of leading causes of death worldwide due to the infectious disease (611,000 death) - More than 95% of measles deaths occur in low-income countries - In 2007, only 197,000 measles deaths globally
MEASLES (RED)
1. Description
- An infection of the respiratory system caused by paramyxovirus- Round-shaped and 150~300nm in diameter
- Causes not only measles, but also mumps, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia in human body
- Usually a benign infection
- Responsible for deaths of children 6 months to 10 years old
Image of paramyxovirus
Structure of Paramyxovirus -The genome of measles virus contains 15,894 base pairs
which code at least 6 protein products including nucleocapsid protein, phosphoprotein,
matrix protein, fusion protein, hemagglutinin protein and large polymerase.
2.Viral Specificity:
- Enters the host by respiration and remains contagious on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours
- Travels to the back of the throat, lungs, and then to other parts of the body
- Reproduces in cytoplasm of the host cell during the 8 to 12 days of incubation period before symptoms begin
3.Symptoms and progression of the disease:
- Rhinitis, drowsiness, loss of appetite, gradual elevation of temperature for the first 2 days
- Rash on the inner cheek on the second or third day, which later extends to the body and extremities- A cough due to bronchitis produced by the inflammation of the mucous membranes
- The temperature drop in uncomplicated cases 5 days after the appearance of the rash
- Common complications: diarrhoea, vomiting, eye infection (conjunctivitis), and inflammation of the voice box (laryngitis)
The measles rash
4.Common Methods of Transmission:
- Spread through respiration (i.e. coughing and sneezing)- Transmittable any time from 4 days prior to the onset of the rash to 4 days after the onset
Measles virus spreads through respiration (i.e.coughing)
5.Treatment and Prevention:
- Antipruritic medication and tepid sponde baths as ordered- Combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine- Combination measles-mumps-rubella-vericella(MMRV) vaccine
- If potentially infectious, limit contact with others, avoid public transportation, and call ahead before visiting a clinique
6.Miscellaneous:
- Began in the 7th century A.D. - Described by Rhazes, a Persian philosopher and physician, as “more dreaded than smallpox” in the 10th century A.D.- Used to be an expected life event for everyone
- In 2002, number six on list of leading causes of death worldwide due to the infectious disease (611,000 death)
- More than 95% of measles deaths occur in low-income countries
- In 2007, only 197,000 measles deaths globally
7.Resources accessed:
http://biowiki.org/view/Fall09/MeaslesVirushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measles
http://www.vaccineinformation.org/measles/qandavax.asp
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Measles/Pages/Complications.aspx