Measles

Measles Information

Measles can be an extremely serious disease among small children as well as adults. It is a respiratory infection of the lungs and it is very dangerous. The reason as to why it is so dangerous is that it is one of the most highly contagious viruses. The best way to prevent a case of measles from becoming serious is to catch it early.

Measles Symptoms

The best way to know whether or not you have Measles is knowing what the warning signs are. The warning signs and symptoms of measles can include coughing, a runny nose, extreme inflammation of the eyes, and soreness of the throat, fever, and rashes.

Measles is dangerous to all people, but it is the most dangerous to young children. Sometimes it can even be fatal. Each year, approximately thirty-five million cases of measles are diagnosed. The disease can be fatal and it results in over 1 million deaths during the course of each year.

After being exposed to the measles virus, symptoms will begin to appear approximately ten to twelve days later.

Most measles viruses begin with some sort of fever. This fever is usually accompanied by other symptoms associated with the virus. Some of these associated symptoms include a runny nose or a cough. A few days after contracting the virus a fever can spike as high as 105 F. During this spike a red blotchy rash will usually appear around the face or somewhere on the head.

This rash eventually spreads to the entire body and lasts for about a week.

Also see: skin rashes

Measles Vaccine

There is an easy way to prevent coming down with the measles. The best way is to get a measles vaccination. The vaccination is highly effective, but it is not available in every region of the world.

In many regions of the world, the measles vaccine is not available. Some of the poorer regions of the world are still in the process of stockpiling reserves of this vaccination. The problem with this disease is that it spreads easily among people that do not have the vaccination. Preventing this disease is extremely easy. All you have to do to prevent this disease is to get yourself vaccinated. Measles vaccinations are extremely effective and will work in most cases!

"German" Measles or Rubella

Rubella, which is known to many as "German Measles" is actually a distinct disease and is n ot the same as measles. You can learn more by clicking on rubella.