The measles virus may have serious complications like pneumonia, super-infections or encephalitis. It is generally very contagious during the prodromal stadium.
About 2 weeks after infection, prodromal symptoms like fever, cough and red eyes occur. The buccal mucosa begins to show bright red spots with a diameter of 1-2mm and a white lesion in the centre, the so-called Koplik's spots. A few days after, the for measles characteristic exanthem, the maculopapular rash, occurs and last for about 3 more days
Pathogen: Measles Virus, genus Morbillivirus of the family Paramyxoviridae
Transmission path:droplet infection
Incubation time: 10-14 days
Contagiousness: highest during the prodromal symptoms
Prodromal symptoms: red eyes, fever, cough, Koplik's spots
Symptoms: characteristic maculopapular skin rush, high grade fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, laryngitis, reduced general condition
Treatment: symptomatically
Complications: viral and bacterial superinfections (encephalitis, myocarditis, pneumonia)
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