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You are here : 3-RX.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Measles: Prevention & Expectations
      Category : Health Centers > Infections (Infectious Diseases)

Measles

Alternate Names : Red Measles, Rubeola, Morbilli

Measles | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

What can be done to prevent the disease?

Children should be immunized against measles with an MMR vaccine. This vaccination is a combined one for measles, mumps, and rubella. It is usually given at 1 year of age, and again at 4 to 6 years.

If a person who has not had the vaccine is exposed to measles, a shot of gamma globulin may be given. This may prevent the disease, or at least make it less severe. Gamma globulin will protect a person from measles for 3 months.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Possible complications of measles are:

  • ear infections such as acute otitis media
  • chest infections, such as pleuritis
  • lung infections, such as pneumonia
  • meningitis, which is inflammation of the linings of the spinal cord
  • encephalitis, which is inflammation of the linings of the brain
  • strep throat
  • What are the risks to others?

    Measles is very contagious. If a person has not had measles, and has not had the MMR vaccine, contact with the infected person should be avoided during the contagious period. A person is contagious from day 11 to day 15 after exposure. Measles becomes apparent 8 to 14 days after exposure.


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    Measles: Diagnosis & Tests

     

    Measles: Treatment & Monitoring

    Author: Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
    Reviewer: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
    Date Reviewed: 07/13/01



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