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Measles

Morbilli · Spalničky

What it is

One of the most contagious viruses known; returning wherever vaccination drops.

Symptoms & signs

  • High fever
  • cough, coryza, conjunctivitis
  • Koplik spots
  • rash spreading from the face
  • complications: pneumonia, encephalitis

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Breathing fast or hard, or blue lips
  • call 112 / 911 now Seizure, stiff neck, or very drowsy
  • see a doctor soon Not drinking, no urine for 12 hours
  • see a doctor soon Sore red eyes with pain in bright light, or earache

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Supportive care
  • vitamin A
  • isolation
  • MMR within 72 h of exposure can prevent the illness
  • immunoglobulin for exposed vulnerable contacts

Natural & lifestyle

  • Two-dose MMR — about 97% protection; febrile seizure in about 1 in 3 000 doses, low platelets in about 1 in 30 000
  • vitamin A in deficiency
  • isolation to protect others

Emerging & experimental

  • Improved thermostable vaccines
  • microneedle patch delivery

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • 'Measles parties' for natural immunity — risk encephalitis, death and 'immune amnesia' that wipes out other immunity anecdotal / traditional
  • Homeopathic measles prevention — offers no protection not confirmed in trials

ICD codes