Definition:
Rubeola, more commonly known as measles, is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus and spread through respiration.
Diagnosis:
Measles or rubeola can be diagnosed based on the appearance of the characteristic rash plus clinical observation of the three Cs: cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. The appearance of Koplik's spots inside the mouth is also diagnostic of the disease; however, this symptom is often unseen and may disappear within a day after its onset.
In addition, a diagnosis of rubeola can be confirmed by testing for measles-specific IgM antibodies in the laboratory, or by isolating the measles virus RNA from respiratory specimens.
Contact with other infected patients provides epidemiological evidence that supports the diagnosis.
Treatment:
No specific treatment or antiviral therapy is available for cases of uncomplicated rubeola. Typically, infected patients recover with rest until the infection has run its course.
Symptoms and Signs:
Rubeola presents with a rash and fever that typically lasts for three or more days, along with the three Cs: coryza (runny nose), cough, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
The appearance of a generalized, maculopapular, erythematous rash is a classical sign of Rubeola. The rash, which typically begins on the head before spreading to cover most of the body, has been described as itchy and may change colors (from red to dark brown) before disappearing.
Rubeola has an incubation period of 4-12 days, during which the affected individual appears asymptomatic. Infected individuals then remain contagious from the onset of initial symptoms to 2-3 days after the characteristic rash disappears.
Causes:
Rubeola is caused by the paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. The virus is transmitted through respiration, particularly through contact with fluids from an infected patient's nose or mouth, either directly or through airborne transmission. Humans are the only known hosts of Rubeola, although the virus is believed to infect some non-human primates as well.
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