Measles

Understanding
Measles is an infection caused by a virus. Symptoms of measles are red rash throughout the body with fever, cough, and runny nose.
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) said measles is one of the main causes of childhood death in the world, although safe and affordable measles vaccines are available. This is especially true in developing countries.
 
However, the use of measles vaccine resulted in a 79% reduction in deaths from measles from 2000 to 2014 worldwide.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis of measles can be determined based on the clinical picture, the signs and symptoms experienced by the patient. However, in certain cases, doctors may request for investigation such as full blood examination.

An antibody examination of measles and liver function can also be performed, although rarely.

Examination using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can determine the exact diagnosis. However, in most cases it is not necessary, because the signs and symptoms of measles are generally quite typical to determine the diagnosis.

Symptoms
Measles disease has a fairly typical clinical features. The first symptoms common to measles include:

• High fever, which generally occurs about 10-12 days after a person is exposed to the measles virus.
• Respiratory complaints, such as cough and runny nose.
• The eyes are reddish and watery.
• White patches in the oral cavity.
• A typical reddish rash on measles can occur about 3-5 days after the other symptoms. Usually starting from the face and upper neck. In the time period of the next few days, a red rash also develops on other body parts - such as the body, back, hands, and legs. This rash generally lasts for a few days, then begins to disappear in the order they occur.
• Sometimes, a reddish rash may be accompanied by an itchy complaint.
  

In general, symptoms experienced by people with measles can last for 4-7 days, before finally subsided. 

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