Measles Case
Essay by Nicolas • February 7, 2012 • Research Paper • 965 Words (4 Pages) • 1,632 Views
Measles are an infection caused by a virus, which causes an illness that has a skin rash known as an exanthema. (CDC, 2011) Measles are a not common disease in the United States. It killed over 160,000 children around the world. Measles were first discovered in the seventeenth century by a Persian physician. In 1963 the first vaccine was created. Before it was vaccine there were three to four million cases of measles. At one point there were two types of vaccine: the killed measles virus (KMV) vaccine and the live virus vaccine. KMV was not helpful in preventing people from getting the measles so it was cancelled in 1967. However, the live virus vaccine is very helping in preventing the disease, but the vaccine they use now is a live vaccine. (MedicineNet, 2011) Measles are very common in developing countries. Forty-three million cases happen annually, and with more than one million deaths. The United States has over 300 cases reported each year. Most people normally become affected in other countries. Measles are still a growing problem in developing countries. The United States has decreased in cases since 1993. The decrease was a result of an increase in the use of a two-dose vaccine strategy for children, immunization doses, and programs to eliminate measles in Mexico and Central and South America. The measles are not as common if you have been given vaccine. However, if you have not received the vaccine you are more likely to get it than someone who has been vaccinated. It is many ways a person can be at risk for getting the measles. People who have not received the vaccine are more likely to receive the disease. Unvaccinated people going to developing countries have a higher percentage of catching the disease. (CVI, 2011) Measles are still common in developing countries. They are also very common in Africa and Asia. The highest percentage of measles death occurs in countries with low per capita incomes and weak health infrastructures. Measles outbreaks can be extremely deadly recovering countries from a natural disaster. When health buildings are destroyed this interrupts immunization. Lacks of Vitamin A in diets are more likely to contract measles and have severe symptoms. Children who are less than one year of age and people who receive immunoglobulin at the time of measles vaccination can also be at risk of getting the measles. People were immunized from 1963 until 1967 with the killed measles vaccine. Minors have the highest risk of getting the measles. (MayoClinic, 2011)
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of measles are fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sensitivity to light, tiny white spots with bluish white centers found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek, a skin rash made up of large flat blotches that often flow into one another. Measles normally start with a mild fever, then a persistent cough, runny nose, and sore throat. Bumps
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