Measles
- cause
- an acute, highly contagious viral disease capable of producing epidemics
- spread
- Measles is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people or, less frequently, by airborne transmission. Measles is one of the most readily transmitted communicable diseases.
- incubation
- Symptoms usually appear in 10–12 days, although they may occur as early as seven or as late as 18 days after exposure.
- symptoms
- runny nose, cough, reddened eyes, and a slight fever
- communicability
- five days prior to and five days after rash onset
- prevention
- Anyone born on or after January 1, 1957, who does not have a history of physician–diagnosed measles or serologic confirmation of measles immunity, should receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for maximum protection.
- treatment
- no specific treatment is available