What is measles?

In our daily lives, we are most likely to see measles in children. Even when measles occurs, the most common cause is acute respiratory system infection or epidemic factors. But what exactly is measles? Do we really understand this disease? Only after we understand measles can we avoid panic. Only then can you actively cooperate with treatment.

What is measles? In fact, measles is a very common acute respiratory infectious disease in children's lives. This disease is highly contagious and is prone to epidemics in some densely populated areas where there is no universal vaccination. Epidemics occur every two to three years. Measles virus is a paramyxovirus that is transmitted through respiratory secretions and droplets.

Clinically, the disease is characterized by fever, upper respiratory tract inflammation, conjunctivitis, red maculopapular rash on the skin, and measles mucosal spots on the buccal mucosa. After the rash subsides, pigmentation and bran-like desquamation remain. It is often complicated by respiratory diseases such as otitis media, laryngotracheitis, pneumonia, measles encephalitis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and other serious complications. There is currently no specific drug treatment.

Measles virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and is a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus. The diameter is about 100 to 250 nm, and there is a capsule outside the capsid. The capsule contains hemagglutinin (HL), which has a hemolytic effect. Measles virus has 6 structural proteins; during the prodromal and rash periods, measles virus can be isolated in nasal secretions, blood and urine. Measles virus has only one serotype and is antigenically stable. This virus has weak resistance and is sensitive to dryness, sunlight and high temperature. Ultraviolet rays, peracetic acid, formaldehyde, lactic acid and ether can kill the measles virus, but it can survive for a long time in low temperatures.

If we know what measles is, we must face up to this stubborn disease in our daily lives. Friends who have been in contact with children with measles or received passive immunization during the incubation period can extend it to three or four weeks. During the incubation period, there will be a slight rise in body temperature. However, this is a normal phenomenon for people who have received the measles vaccine.