| Disease/Syndrome |
Measles |
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| Category |
Infection, Occupational |
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| Acute/Chronic |
Acute-Moderate |
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| Synonyms |
Rubeola; Hard measles; Red measles; Morbilli |
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| Biomedical References |
Search PubMed |
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| Comments |
FINDINGS: Complications of measles caused by either the virus or bacterial superinfection include pneumonia, otitis media, diarrhea, and encephalitis. In malnourished children, especially those deficient in vitamin A, measles may precipitate a hemorrhagic rash, acute kwashiorkor, and blindness. [CCDM, p. 347-54] Koplik spots are white, raised, and 1-2 mm in diameter. They are located on the buccal mucosa near the lower molars, starting 2 days before the onset of the rash and fading after about 4 days. Lymphadenopathy (cervical, postauricular, and/or occipital) is common. Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain occur occasionally in younger children. [ID, p. 1181-2] In conventional measles, the 5-day rash spreads to the extremities including the palms and soles. In atypical measles, the rash begins peripherally and may be confused with the rash of chickenpox or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. [Lexi-ID, p. 206] The incidence of acute encephalitis is 1 in 1000-2000 cases of measles. Pneumonia is common. [PPID, p. 2031-6] PREVENTION: "Data have suggested that health care personnel have a risk of measles 13-fold that of the general population. . . . Strategies to prevent nosocomial transmission of measles include (a) documentation of measles immunity in health care personnel, (b) prompt identification and isolation of persons with fever and rash, and (c) adherence to air-borne precautions for suspected and proven cases of measles." [Guidelines for Infection Control in Health Care Personnel. CDC. 1998] When the rash clears, the patient is no longer contagious. Mild desquamation may follow the disappearance of the rash. [Merck Manual, p. 1642] Immunize contacts with vaccine within 3 days. If indicated, immune globulin should be given within 6 days of exposure. [CCDM, p. 353] |
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| Latency/Incubation |
Fever: 7 days to 2 weeks; Koplic's spots: 2-4 days after fever onset; Rash: 3-5 days after fever onset; [Merck Manual, p. 1642-3] |
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| Diagnostic |
Clinical; IgM antibodies (present 3-4 days after onset of fever); Paired sera; Detection of antigen in nasal wash by FA; Culture of urine (collected before day 8 of the rash) or of nasal wash or blood (collected before day 4 of rash); [CCDM] |
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| ICD-9 Code |
055 |
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| Available Vaccine |
Yes |
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| Scope |
Global; "Measles remains a common disease in many countries of the world, including some developed countries in Europe and Asia." [CDC Travel, 236] |
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| Reference Link |
CDC - Measles |
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| Image |
Univ. of S. Carolina: Measles |
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| Related Information in Haz-Map |
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| Symptoms/Findings |
Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:
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| Job Tasks |
High risk job tasks associated with this disease:
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