Disease Discussion: Measles

Disease Discussion: Measles

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Measles (Rubeola) is an infectious viral disease, causing fever and rash on the skin, usually occurring more often in childhood.

Bibliography and Sources

(Internet)

Whiteman, Honor, "Are Ongoing Concerns About Vaccine Safety to Blame for the Measles Epidemic?", Infectious Diseases/Bacteria/Viruses, February 2015, MNT, February 5th, 2015 <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/289060.php>

Barron, Scott, "Infections- Measles", Bacterial & Viral Infections, February 2015, Kids Health, February 2015 <http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/measles.html#>

(Book)

Goodson, James, "Infectious Diseases Related To Travel", December, 2013, CDC Yellowbook, December 13th 2013 <http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/measles-rubeola>

(Other Sources)

<http://www.gavi.org/support/nvs/measles/>

<http://www.sfcdcp.org/measles.html>

<http://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html>

<http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/measles-rougeole-eng.php>

Why I Chose Measles

Prevention and Prognosis of Measles

Measles is one of the most famous and dangerous communicable diseases out there in the world, without vaccinations, all our attention would be probably directed at measles. I chose measles not because my family, friends, or loved ones had it, its because I think people need to continue measles vaccination. I have read a few articles recently, about vaccination rate dropping down, people declining to vaccinate, just because they think it is not safe, and it is cruel. However, vaccination is totally safe and not cruel; in fact, the child will really thank you for not getting the suffering from measles. Moreover, I think that people are kinda underestimating this disease as it is not as common now.

Measles related deaths have been drastically decreased due to the uses of vaccination; however, as vaccination rates decline, measles slowly begins to come back. But for most of the time, if you did not get vaccination to prevent measles when you're young, you could still get vaccinated when you are exposed to it. More importantly, you could actually die from measles if your immune system does not protect you from it. This is why many encourages people to get vaccinated, better be safe then sorry.

Measles' Prevalence

Measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children despite the uses of vaccine; moreover, in 2013, 145,700 deaths globally, about 400 deaths every day or 16 deaths every hour are from measles. Although measles vaccination resulted in a 75% drop in measles death, many still suffer from measles at a young age before getting vaccinated. However, measles vaccination has saved about 15.6 million deaths, for a safe and low price.

Measles Support Websites

The Department of Health and Human Services' Measles section supports and helps you by giving you information about measles; moreover, it gives you a brief summary of how to prevent, diagnose, treat and how it spreads. The hotline is 1300 135 513 and the website is: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/peh/communicable_diseases_prevention_unit/infectious_diseases/measles.

The Communicable Disease Control and Prevention of the San Francisco Department of Public Health allows you to know the seriousness and exposure to measles. They also provide information and an emergency hotline: (415) 554-2830; moreover, their provided website is: http://www.sfcdcp.org/measles.html

A Communicable Disease

Symptoms of Measles/How it Affects Your Body System

Measles is a communicable disease transmitted through droplet or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions, in short, by liquid. The measles virus derive from the Paramyxoviridae family and belongs to the morbillivirus genus.

History of Measles

Signs and symptoms of measles includes fever, red eyes, cough, spots on tongue, and mouth, blotchy rash 3rd and 7th day, usually lasting 4 to 7 days; moreover, symptoms also include bad cold, a high fever, a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, and a hacking cough, you may may also have sore eyes, red, and diarrhea. The measles virus affects the respiratory system, skins, and eyes, which will probably appear about 10 days after infected.

Measles was first described from in the 9th century by an Arab physi who identified the disease different from smallpox. By 1757, a Scottish physician named Francis Home demonstrated that measles is caused by an infectious agent inside the patient's blood. In 1921, measles increased in diagnosed cases, an average of 6,000 measles- related deaths were reported each year. By 1963, the first vaccine was developed by John F. Enders and Dr. Thomas C. Peebles, stopping the berserk spread of the measles and by 1968, the vaccine was improved further, making it even safer to be used by Maurice Hilleman.