Measles

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	Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Appendices

The following text is from an archived Red Book^® edition and may not reflect current recommendations or information. To view the current edition, click here.

Section 3. Summaries of Infectious Diseases

Measles

Clinical Manifestations
Etiology
Epidemiology
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Isolation of the Hospitalized Patient
Control Measures

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CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS: Measles is an acute disease characterizedby fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, an erythematous maculopapularrash, and pathognomonic enanthemas (Koplik spots). Complicationssuch as otitis media, bronchopneumonia, laryngotracheobronchitis(croup), and diarrhea occur commonly in young children. Acuteencephalitis, which often results in permanent brain damage,occurs in approximately 1 of every 1000 cases. Death, predominantlyresulting from respiratory and neurologic complications, occursin 1 to 3 of every 1000 cases reported in the United States.Case fatality rates are increased in children younger than 5years of age and immunocompromised children, including childrenwith leukemia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection,and severe malnutrition. Sometimes the characteristic rash doesnot develop in immunocompromised patients.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare degenerativecentral nervous system disease characterized by behavioral andintellectual deterioration and seizures that develop years afterthe original infection, is a result of a persistent measlesvirus infection. Widespread measles immunization has led tothe virtual disappearance of SSPE in the United States.

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ETIOLOGY: Measles virus is an RNA virus with 1 serotype, classifiedas a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridaefamily.

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EPIDEMIOLOGY: The only natural hosts of measles virus are humans.Measles is transmitted by direct contact with infectious dropletsor, less commonly, by airborne spread. In temperate areas, thepeak incidence of infection usually occurs during late winterand spring. In the prevaccine era, most cases of measles inthe United States occurred in preschool and young school-agedchildren, and few people remained susceptible by age 20 years.The childhood and adolescent immunization program in the UnitedStates has resulted in a greater than 99% decrease . . . [Go to Full Text]

Related text in Red Book:

Active Immunization of People Who Recently Received Immune Globulin: Red Book 2003: 35-36. [Extract] [Full Version]
Vaccine Safety and Contraindications: Red Book 2003: 37-49. [Extract] [Full Version]
Minimum Ages and Minimum Intervals Between Vaccine Doses: Red Book 2003: 23-32. [Extract] [Full Version]
Simultaneous Administration of Multiple Vaccines: Red Book 2003: 33. [Extract] [Full Version]
Immune Globulin: Red Book 2003: 54-56. [Extract] [Full Version]
Health Care Personnel: Red Book 2003: 90-92. [Extract] [Full Version]
International Travel: Red Book 2003: 93-98. [Extract] [Full Version]
Immunocompromised Children: Red Book 2003: 69-81. [Extract] [Full Version]
Children With a Personal or Family History of Seizures: Red Book 2003: 81-82. [Extract] [Full Version]
Children in Residential Institutions: Red Book 2003: 85-87. [Extract] [Full Version]
Children in Out-of-Home Child Care: Red Book 2003: 123-137. [Extract] [Full Version]
Rubella: Red Book 2003: 536-541. [Extract] [Full Version]
Tuberculosis: Red Book 2003: 642-660. [Extract] [Full Version]
Varicella-Zoster Infections: Red Book 2003: 672-686. [Extract] [Full Version]
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Red Book 2003: 360-382. [Extract] [Full Version]
Kawasaki Syndrome: Red Book 2003: 392-395. [Extract] [Full Version]
Mumps: Red Book 2003: 439-443. [Extract] [Full Version]
Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Immunizations, 2003: Red Book 2003: 798-801. [Extract] [Full Version]

This topic has been referenced by these articles:

Chalmers, I. (2002). Why We Need to Know Whether Prophylactic Antibiotics Can Reduce Measles-Related Morbidity. Pediatrics 109: 312-315 [Abstract] [Full Version]
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Dayan, G. H., Ortega-Sanchez, I. R., LeBaron, C. W., Quinlisk, M. P., and the Iowa Measles Response Team, (2005). The Cost of Containing One Case of Measles: The Economic Impact on the Public Health Infrastructure--Iowa, 2004. Pediatrics 116: e1-e4 [Abstract] [Full Version]
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Nilsson, A., De Milito, A., Engstrom, P., Nordin, M., Narita, M., Grillner, L., Chiodi, F., Bjork, O. (2002). Current Chemotherapy Protocols for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Induce Loss of Humoral Immunity to Viral Vaccination Antigens. Pediatrics 109: e91-91 [Abstract] [Full Version]
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