Measles: Recommendations and Other Relevant Information

Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.

Initial clinical symptoms typically include fever (prodromal period), followed by conjunctivitis, runny nose, cough and Koplik's spots, a maculopapular rash which may not be itchy. The rash usually appears on day 3-4 of the illness, starting on the face, behind the ears, then 'trickling down'; the rash persists for 4-7 days.

The incubation period is about 10 days (may vary from 7 to 21 days).

Spending 15 minutes or more in direct contact with someone infected with measles or staying in the same room is enough to catch the infection.

Measles is dangerous because:
•    can spread easily in the community;
•    can be transmitted by an infected person from four days prior to the onset of the rash to four days after the rash erupts;
•    only symptomatic treatment can relieve the patient's condition;
•    common complications include pneumonia, otitis media, encephalitis, etc.;
•    can cause premature birth and other complications in pregnant women.

Measles can be prevented with measles-containing vaccine, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. In Lithuania, vaccination of children against measles with one dose of measles vaccine started in 1964 and a second dose was added in 1988.

Unvaccinated persons, persons who have received only one dose or persons who haven`t acquired immunity by contracting measles have a nearly 90% chance of becoming infected.

 

Last updated: 21-03-2024