Causes Of Measles

Measles (Rubeola) is caused by a virus belonging to Morbillivirus group in the Paramyxoviridae family that has a single strand of RNA. It is a highly contagious infection and usually occurs when you come in contact with a person who has measles. A person with measles can get a red rash on the face, followed by a fever and a cough. Only vaccines can cure or prevent this infection, as there is no specific treatment for this contagious disease. There are high chances of getting measles if you have not been vaccinated. Read on to understand the exact causes of measles.

Causes

A person with measles can get a red rash on the face, followed by fever and cough. There are higher chances of getting measles if you have not been vaccinated. Measles spread in the following ways:

1. Mode of Transmission

• Airborne Spread: Measles is an airborne disease. It spreads through air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, or talks.

• Inhaling Particles: Breathing in particles from an infected person can lead to contracting measles.

• Persistence in the Air: Airborne droplets can linger in a room for up to two hours after the infected person has left.

2. Secondary Transmission Routes

• Surface Contamination: Measles can spread by droplets landing on surfaces, potentially leading to transmission.

• Shared Items: Sharing drinks or food with someone who has measles poses a risk of transmission.

• Close Contact: Measles can be transmitted through activities like kissing, shaking hands, holding hands, or hugging an infected person.

• Touch and Transfer: Touching a surface containing the virus and, subsequently, touching your mouth, nose, or eyes can result in transmission.

3. Mother-to-Child Transmission

• From Pregnant Individuals: Measles can be transmitted from pregnant individuals to their babies during pregnancy, delivery, or while nursing.