
Contents
Introduction
- Now relatively rare in the UK
- Older children have more severe disease
- Caused by the Morbillivirus, which is a type of paramyoxovirus
- This is a single stranded, enveloped RNA virus
- It is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory system, and can be passed on by airborne transmission, via droplets expelled in coughing, sneezing and respiration.
- Maternal antibodies tend to provide immunity in the first 6 months of life
- In the developing world, the death rate is approx 10%
Disease progression and symptoms
- Incubation period is typically 10-14 days, followed by the symptomatic phase, of typically 7-10 days.
- Patient is infective for the last 2 days of incubation (i.e. before symptoms are apparent!), and for the first 6 days of the symptomatic phase.
- Fever – temperature increases from day 1-5, peaks at day 5, before falling.
- Koplik’s spots –these are small white spots on the buccal mucosa. Visible usually from days 2-5. These are diagnostic for measles, but often not seen, and when present are transient.
- Cough – usually apparent through the whole symptomatic phase
- Conjunctivitis and Coryzal Symptoms – days 1-5.
- Rash! – this usually starts off behind the ears, and spreads down the body. Initially a maculopapular rash, it typically expands and becomes indistinct. Usually lasts from about days 3-7, but there is a possibility of desquamation towards the end.
- When to exclude from school?
- Until at least 5 days after the onset of the rash. Typically, viral shedding stops around day 6, and the rash starts at day 3. This allows 2 days leeway, excluding the child from school until at least day 8.
Complications
- Encephalitis – occurs in 1 in 5000 cases. Presents 8 days after the onset of symptoms of measles, with lethargy, headache and irritability. Can result in LOC and coma. 15% mortality rate. In up to 40% of cases there will be long-term problems, including; deafness, hemiplegia and learning difficulties.
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) extremely rare–Presents approx 7 years after measles infection. Will cause progressive dementia (over several years) and eventual death. Occurs in 1 in 100 000 cases of measles. Caused by a measles virus variant gaining access to the CNS. Diagnosis is confirmed by high levels of measles antibody in the blood and CNS. May also cause CNS abnormalities.
Treatment
Essentially supportive
- Ensure isolation in hospital – to prevent the child coming into contact with immunocompromised patients!
- Ensure adequate nutrition – continue breastfeeding, even with diarrhoea, supplement and intubate if necessary.
- Vitamin A – involved in the immune response, and may be deficient in some, but rarely in the developed world. Supplements available if you suspect it may be a contributing factor
- Ribavirin – antiviral. Should not be used in normal cases, but should be used in immunocompromised patients.
Vaccination in the UK
- Began in UK in 1960’s
- 800,000 cases/year before vaccination programme
- Almost 100% of children used to get it at some point!
- 3,000 cases of measels in the UK in 1990’s
- Number of cases has risen slightly after fall in MMR uptake in late 1990’s
- No link between MMR and autism
- Live attenuated vaccine used – highly effective, and provides life-long protection. The percentage needed to vaccinate for herd immunity is >80%.
- In 10-20% of cases, immunity is not achieved after this first dose, hence the ‘booster’ given to children just before they begin attending school (Age 3 years 4 months)
- Side effects can include mild variants of the symptoms of the disease being vaccinated against. For example, they can include; rash, fever, and loss of apetite (measels). swollen lymph nodes (mumps), and rarely stiff, swollen joints (rubella).