Measles Disease

• Measles

Measles is a viral disease characterized by high fever, cough, and a red, blotchy rash. This portion of the eMedTV archives explains statistics about measles and discusses the transmission, symptoms, and possible complications of this disease.

• Cause of Measles

The cause of measles is the measles virus. This eMedTV resource outlines the history, statistics, and transmission of the cause of measles. This page also includes information on how long the measles virus can live in the air and on surfaces.

• Measles Virus

The measles virus causes measles; however, this virus is inactivated by heat, light, and acidic pH. This eMedTV Web page explains the history and transmission of the measles virus and discusses the potential complications of measles.

• Measles Transmission

Measles transmission usually occurs through the cough or sneeze of an infected person. This portion of the eMedTV archives discusses measles transmission, explains the incubation period, and gives statistics on who is most likely to develop measles.

• Measles Incubation Period

As this eMedTV article explains, the period between measles transmission and the beginning of measles symptoms is known as the measles incubation period. This eMedTV page explains what happens during this incubation period.

• Measles Symptoms

Measles symptoms include high fever, hacking cough, swelling of the eyelids, and red, watery eyes. This eMedTV segment describes common measles symptoms and gives statistics about the mortality rate and possible complications of this disease.

• Diagnosing Measles

When diagnosing measles, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. This eMedTV page discusses tests that may be used and other conditions that a doctor will rule out before diagnosing measles.

• Measles Treatment

Because there is no treatment to kill the measles virus, measles treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. This eMedTV Web page describes the different aspects of supportive care, including pain medications and intravenous fluids.

• Prevention of Measles

The measles vaccine has reduced the number of measles infections in the United States by over 99 percent. This eMedTV article provides an overview of measles transmission and explains why the vaccine is the best method for the prevention of measles.

• MMR Vaccine

An MMR vaccine can help protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. This portion of the eMedTV archives describes these three diseases and explains how the MMR vaccine works, how it is administered, and who should get it.

• Measles Prognosis

The measles prognosis is usually good, as this eMedTV article explains. However, in developing countries, measles is the leading cause of blindness. This resource talks about complications of measles as well as the prognosis for the disease.

• History of Measles

The history of measles dates back to before the 7th century A.D. This section of the eMedTV library focuses on the history of measles epidemics and how the development of the measles vaccine has changed it.