Guide Note

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. Measles is also occasionally referred to as rubeola, but should not be confused with rubella, which is a less severe viral infection.¹

The primary symptom of measles is a skin rash that is extremely itchy and covers most of the body. Since the advent of the the MMR vaccine, measles can be prevented.² However, if one becomes infected with measles, there is no treatment, and series complications can result.

While vaccination can prevent measles, each year there are 17 million cases worldwide, of which, about 242,000 cases end in death.³

In 2008, an outbreak of measles spread over 15 U.S. states. With over 127 infected patients, it was the the worst epidemic in over a decade.⁴

Fast Facts

Alternate name: Rubeola
Cause: Paramyxovirus
Spread through contact with fluids from an infected person's nose or mouth
Highly contagious
Incubation period: 4-12 days

Virus Classification

Group: Group V
Order: Mononegavirales
Family: Paramyxoviridae
Genus: Morbillivirus

Symptoms

Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Conjunctivitis
Rash covering most of body

Disclaimer

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have measles, please consult your doctor.

Categories

Health | Diseases | Childhood Diseases | Epidemics | Parenting | Child Health

View Note History

Measles

The Mahalo Top 7

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Measles Q & A about Disease & Vaccine
Wikipedia: Measles
eMedicineHealth: Measles
MayoClinic.com: Measles
World Health Organization (WHO): Measles
Official Site: Measles Initiative
Reuters: Measles Outbreak Hits 127 People in 15 States (July 9, 2008)

Measles News

Fox News: Meales Outbreak Spreads in 15 States (July 10, 2008)
Science Daily: How Measles Virus Spreads: Discovery May Rewrite Textbooks (June 22, 2008)
FOXNews.com: Measles Outbreak Spreads, Health Officials Issue Warnings (April 10, 2008)
HealthDay: Growing Number of U.S Kids Not Getting Needed Vaccinations (2007)
Washington Post: Groups Make Headway in Fight Against Measles (2007)
The New York Times: "Global Battle Against Measles Is Said To Save 2.3 Million Lives" (2007)
ESPN: Second Child at LLWS With Measles Was Acquaintance of First Case (2007)
FOXNews.com: Kansas Confirms First Measles Cases in More Than Five Years (2006)
ABC News: Once Nearly Eradicated, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Return to the U.S (2006)
Google News: Measles
Topix: Measles News

Measles Facts, Causes, and Symptoms

CDC: Measles (Rubeola)
WebMD: Measles (Rubeola)
MedlinePlus: Medical Encyclopedia: Measles
eMedicineHealth: Causes | Symptoms
MayoClinic.com: Signs and Symptoms | Causes
MedicineNet.com: How is Measles Spread?

Measles Risk Factors and Complications

MayoClinic.com: Risk Factors
MedicineNet.com: Who is at Risk For Measles? | What Complications Can Occur with Measles?
MedlinePlus: Complications
Wikipedia: Complications

Measles Treatment Options

MayoClinic.com: Treatment
WebMD: Measles (Rubeola) - Treatment Overview | Home Treatment

Measles Holistic and Alternative Treatment

MotherNature: Measles
MotherNature: Childhood Diseases
Alive: Measles
Alive: Natural Immunity for Chickenpox and Measles

Measles Prevention

Measles Scientific and Medical Journal Articles

Journal of the American Medical AssociateSearch: Measles
New England Journal of Medicine: Measles in the United States, 2006
PubMed Central: Measles

Measles Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Measles Clinical Trials
CenterWatch Search: Measles Clinical Trials

Measles Discussion and Blogs

eHealthForum: Measles and Mumps Forum
CureZone: Measles, Mumps, or Rubella Parties
iVillage: Vaccine Support

Related Searches

MMR Vaccine | Viral Infections | Mumps | Rash | Pinkeye | Cough | Epidemics | Virus | Measles Outbreak 2008