Related articles: Measles
Definition
Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease, typical of childhood. It is caused by a Paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus, which is transmitted by direct contact or by air through the nasal, pharyngeal and oral secretions emitted by coughing, sneezing or talking.
Measles is part of the group of exanthematous diseases. In fact, a typical manifestation is the appearance of a maculo-papular rash which extends from the neck to the head to the whole body.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Febrile convulsions
- Bruising
- Rash
- Fotofobia
- Leukopenia
- Inflated tongue
- Red tongue
- Spots of Köplik
- macules
- Meningitis
- thrombocytopenia
- Red Dots on the Tongue
- Nephritic syndrome
Further indications
After an incubation period of 7-18 days, measles begins with prodromal symptoms similar to those of a common flu: fever (almost always high), rhinitis, dry cough, conjunctivitis, loss of appetite and headache. Shortly before the exanthematous phase, the Köplik sign appears, an enantema characterized by small whitish spots on the oral mucosa (at the level of the molars), surrounded by an inflammatory halo. Pharyngodynia develops. The rash begins 3-5 days after the onset of symptoms (usually 1-2 days after Köplik spots appear). The rash begins in the face, in front of and below the ears and on the sides of the neck, in the form of roundish pink spots, barely visible and with irregular contours. The macules are quickly accompanied by papules. Lesions gradually spread to the trunk and limbs (descending rash); moreover, the spots become more and more numerous and tend to flow together, forming large red patches. In severe eruptions petechiae and ecchymoses may appear. Simultaneously with the appearance of the exanthem, there is a sharp increase in fever (the patient's temperature may exceed 40 ° C), with periorbital edema, redness of the eyes, photophobia and slight itching. The rash persists for about 5-6 days. The desquamation period follows: the fever falls, the patient improves and the rash quickly begins to disappear, leaving a copper-colored pigmentation, followed by a slight desquamation.
In addition to the typical form, it is possible that measles manifests in attenuated or atypical forms. In adults, for example, measles can manifest itself more severely and complications are more frequent than in children. Possible complications of measles are otitis of the middle ear, pneumonia, laryngitis, diarrhea and encephalitis.
The diagnosis is based on the clinical recognition of the typical rashes of the Köplik disease or spots. The presence of measles can be confirmed by serological tests and by research of the virus by culture test or reverse transcription-PCR. There is no specific therapy for measles: the treatment is supportive and includes rest, light diet, hydration and symptomatic remedies for fever and cough. Vaccination is very effective.
