Measles in America

Received: Apr 23, 2018; Accepted: May 08, 2018; Published: May 16, 2018 Measles is a disease caused by a virus that is spread by human contact. It is a respiratory disease that is contagious in untreated or unvaccinated individuals in areas of the world where there is an outbreak of the disease. Measles is also referred to as rubeola. The disease is characterized by flu-like symptoms such as a cough, running nose, fever, and a rash all over the body, feeling aching all over, and red and watery eyes [1]. Infected individuals may also experience conjunctivitis and sensitivity to light [2]. The disease may also cause a rash on the inside of the infected person’s mouth. The measles virus breeds in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Because it is a respiratory virus, it is spread by infected persons sneezing, coughing, or breathing around a person who has not been vaccinated. The virus may remain alive on objects for up to four hours. Infected persons may infect other people five days prior to a rash appearing and about four days after the rash appears [3].