​Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Measles ( Measles virus)

​Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Measles ( Measles virus) 
The measles virus, a paramyxovirus with a single serotype, is the cause of the disease. Droplets in the air are the mode of transmission. With an infection rate of 85% to 95%, the measles virus is extremely contagious.

Prodromal symptoms of measles include fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. After one to two days, the cheeks develop Koplik spots, which are little white patches on irritated buccal mucosa. A day later, the head develops a maculopapular rash that lasts for three to five days and spreads to the trunk and extremities. 

Measles complications include encephalitis, virus-induced giant-cell pneumonia, opportunistic bacterial superinfections (otitis media, pneumonia), and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a rare late-progressive neurologic disease that develops months or years after clinical measles. These complications are more common in developing nations, in malnourished children, and in immunocompromised people.

The measles virus first infects respiratory cells before proliferating and spreading in lymph nodes and spreading by viremia to other locations, such as the skin and mucosa. A cell-mediated immune response to virus-infected vascular endothelial cells in the skin causes the maculopapular rash. T and B cell infection is the primary cause of secondary infections that lead to morbidity and mortality, as well as a weakened immune response. A cell-mediated immune response is necessary for the measles to heal.

 The most widely used laboratory method for measles virus-specific antibody detection is serologic testing.
Assessment, Management, and The measles virus infection has no particular therapy. The vaccination against the live, attenuated measles virus is quite successful in avoiding the disease. The vaccine is often administered in conjunction with the MMR (measles, rabies, and rubella) immunizations.

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