Measles in the United Kingdom and USA

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection spread through droplets whose incidence has increased in the UK in the first half of 2016.

The first quarter of 2016 has seen an increase in the number of measles cases compared to last year, with large numbers of measle cases also being reported in Europe.

Symptoms of Measles

The first symptoms usually start 10 days after exposure. Measles is spread through droplets either breathing in the infected droplets or touching infected surfaces. Measles often starts like a cold with a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. The eyes can be red and often the patient is sensitive to light. There is usually a fever (high-temperature), lethargy, irritability, and a poor appetite. The rash is the most well-known symptom and is usually a red-brown spotty rash, which normally starts behind the ears and spreads to the face, neck, legs and body.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment except rest, plenty of fluids and treating the symptoms. Measles is a notifiable disease and the GP must inform the local health authority, to try and prevent further spread. A GP should be able to recommend treatments to help with symptoms and may prescribe antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections which may be present. Symptoms usually last seven to ten days.

Complications

Measles is more common in children under the age of 4 years, and is, therefore, often considered a childhood illness. Measles is associated with a number of complications which can be minor such as diarrhoea, vomiting, eye infections, ear infections, or more serious such as febrile convulsions, meningitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, hepatitis and rarely death.

Pregnant women who are unsure of their immunity should avoid people with measles, as it can pass to the unborn baby resulting in pregnancy complications. If a pregnant woman is exposed to measles, she should contact her GP as soon as possible.

Prevention

The only prevention is the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination. However, children should not return to school until five days after the appearance of the rash and all the symptoms have cleared up.

The United Kingdom immunisation programme recommends the MMR immunisation at 12 months and then a second dose betweent the ages of 3 years 4 months and 5 years. The MMR vaccination is contraindicated in pregnancy, though most UK women of child bearing age are most likely to be immune either through previous vaccination or previous exposure to the measles virus.