Measles pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Measles is a disease caused by a virus , specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus.
Pathophysiology
Transmission
The measles is a highly contagious airborne pathogen which spreads primarily via the respiratory system. The virus is transmitted in respiratory secretions, and can be passed from person to person via aerosol droplets containing virus particles, such as those produced by a coughing patient. The virus resides in the mucus in the nose and throat of the infected person. When that person sneezes or coughs, droplets spray into the air. The infected mucus can land in other people’s noses or throats when they breathe or put their fingers in their mouth or nose after handling an infected surface. The virus remains active and contagious on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours. Measles spreads so easily that anyone who is not immunized will probably get it, eventually.Once transmission occurs, the virus infects the epithelial cells of its new host, and may also replicate in the urinary tract, lymphatic system, conjunctivae, blood vessels, and central nervous system.[1] It spreads through respiration (contact with fluids from an infected person's nose and mouth, either directly or through aerosol transmission), and is highly contagious— 90% of people without immunity sharing a house with an infected person will catch it. Airborne precautions should be taken for all suspected cases of measles.
The incubation period usually lasts for 4–12 days (during which there are no symptoms).
Infected people remain contagious from the appearance of the first symptoms until 3–5 days after the rash appears.
German measles is an unrelated condition caused by the rubella virus. Humans are the only known natural hosts of measles, although the virus can infect some non-human primate species.
Microbiology
Measles virus (MV) is an enveloped, nonsegmented negative-stranded RNA virus of the Paramyxoviridae family.