Measles

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Community and Broken Windows

Measles is a highly pandemic infection that is also called rubella, caused by a virus. Measles is a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus that belongs to the family paramyxoviridae. Although, due to the availability of vaccination, measles is preventable yet still, it is prevailing in many countries. Measles can be serious and can be fatal for newborns.

Specifically, in the US in 1960s, a measles outbreak occurred. It was reported that 3000 people per million were affected by the disease. After the discovery of vaccines and with the help of CDC intervention, measles was prevented and in the year 2000, it was eradicated from the US. However, the disease is still prevailing and according to the CDC, the US experienced more than 17 outbreaks in 2018 which are alarming ("Measles Cases and Outbreaks").

Typically, after exposure to the virus, signs, and symptoms of the measles take 10 to 14 days to appear. The symptoms include fever, sore throat, severe coughing, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. Due to measles, koplik’s spots also start to appear on the inner lining of the cheek. After some time, red spots start appearing on the face and gradually spreads to the entire body (Jenkin 194). Measles can spread by the coughing and sneezing of an infected person. The measles virus can live in the air for approximately two hours, so if a person inhales the contaminated air they also become infected with measles.

Physicians can diagnose measles by looking at the symptoms, especially through rashes on the face and body. To treat the diseases, it is recommended that a child must drink plenty of water as a high fever can cause dehydration. People should abstain from smoking near an infected child. A child should avoid going to school as other children can also get infected by measles. To relieve measles cough, it is recommended to use humidifiers in the room of an infected child. In the US, measles vaccine is regularly given at 12 to 14 months of age. This is followed by a booster shot given to children at the age of 3 to 6 years before entering school (Toole 381). Thus, it is necessary that every child must be vaccinated to prevent the disease.

Works Cited

"Measles Cases and Outbreaks". Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, 2019, HYPERLINK "https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html"https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html.

Jenkin, Grant A., et al. "What is the cause of a rash after measles–mumps–rubella vaccination?" Medical Journal of Australia 171.4 (1999): 194-195.

Toole, Michael J., et al. "Measles prevention and control in emergency settings." Bulletin of the World Health Organization 67.4 (1989): 381.