Measles Overview and Complications

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to measles, including symptoms, complications, and vaccination strategies.

Measles Symptoms

High fever, cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, and rash.

Immunosuppression

A condition where the immune system's ability to fight infections is reduced, often caused by measles.

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)

A rare, chronic infection resulting from measles that can develop several years post-infection.

Herd Immunity Threshold

The level of vaccination in a population needed to prevent disease spread, particularly high for measles.

R0 (Basic Reproduction Number)

A metric indicating the average number of new infections generated by an infected individual in a fully susceptible population.

Vaccine Coverage

The percentage of a population that has received vaccinations, essential for controlling diseases like measles.

Transmission Mode

Measles is primarily transmitted via respiratory droplets.

Vaccination Age

The recommended ages for measles vaccination are at 9 months and again around 5 years.

Memory B and T Cells

Immune cells that are responsible for remembering past infections and generating a quicker immune response upon re-exposure.

Morbillivirus

The genus of viruses to which the measles virus belongs.

Epidemic

An outbreak of a disease that occurs when the incidence exceeds expectations in a specific area.

Cognitive Decline

Deterioration in mental functions that can be a consequence of SSPE.

Respiratory Infections

Infections that affect the upper or lower respiratory tract, which can be exacerbated in measles patients.

Vaccination Strategies

Approaches to increase immunization rates and control outbreaks, such as educational programs.

Complications of Measles

Serious health issues that can arise from measles, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death.