Measles
Alternate Names : Red Measles, Rubeola, Morbilli
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Children should be immunized against measles with an MMR vaccine. This vaccination is a combined one for measles, mumps, and rubella. It is usually given at 1 year of age, and again at 4 to 6 years.
If a person who has not had the vaccine is exposed to measles, a shot of gamma globulin may be given. This may prevent the disease, or at least make it less severe. Gamma globulin will protect a person from measles for 3 months.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Possible complications of measles are:
ear infections such as acute otitis media
chest infections, such as pleuritis
lung infections, such as pneumonia
meningitis, which is inflammation of the linings of the spinal cord
encephalitis, which is inflammation of the linings of the brain
strep throat
What are the risks to others?
Measles is very contagious. If a person has not had measles, and has not had the MMR vaccine, contact with the infected person should be avoided during the contagious period. A person is contagious from day 11 to day 15 after exposure. Measles becomes apparent 8 to 14 days after exposure.
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