Research Paper: General Biology

MEASLES
Measles is an acute respiratory illness that has been around for a long time, and recently a rise of
cases here in the Philippines has been reported. The Latest DOH data report a 203 percent
increase in measles cases in 2022.

From January 1 to October 8, 467 cumulative measles cases have been reported. This is higher
compared to the cases in 2021. The regions reporting the most measles cases include
CALABARZON (84), Central Visayas (63), and Metro Manila (53).

Central Visayas saw the highest increase of 1,060% of all the regions after recording just five
cases in 2021 to 58 in 2022. It was followed by MIMAROPA which had 20 infections, from only
two cases last year.

Meanwhile, the two deaths reported in previous months are from CALABARZON and the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

And just earlier this month, Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire warned of a
possible outbreak in 2023 due to low vaccine coverage.

But what is measles? Where did it originate from and why is it highly contagious?

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases humans have ever faced. This means it's very
easily spread to others. Measles is caused by a virus found in the nose and throat of an infected
child or adult. When someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infectious droplets spray
into the air, where other people can breathe them in. The infectious droplets can hang in the air
for about an hour.
Measles is of zoonotic origin, having evolved from rinderpest, which infects cattle. A precursor
of measles began causing infections in humans as early as the 4th century BC or as late as after
AD 500. The first cases appeared in the Middle East and like many human diseases, measles
originated in animals. A spillover of a cattle-infecting virus, the common ancestor to both the
measles virus and its closest relative rinderpest virus is understood as likely to have given rise to
the disease. 
It became more widespread as global exploration increased in the 16th century. In 1757, Scottish
doctor Francis Home discovered that measles was caused by a pathogen: he transmitted the
disease to healthy individuals using the blood of infected patients and demonstrated that it was
caused by an infectious agent.
Before the advent of vaccination, measles had long been endemic around the world – and it
remains a worldwide epidemic disease. In developed countries, advances in the health of
communities – including better nutrition – meant mortality rates had dropped by the twentieth
century. 
SYMPTOMS

Symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever,
cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. The measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first
symptoms.
 7 – 14 days after a measles infection: first symptoms show Measles isn’t just a little rash.
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Measles typically
begins with
 high fever (may spike to more than 104°), cough, runny nose (coryza), and red, watery eyes
(conjunctivitis).
 2-3 days after symptoms begin: Koplik spots Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear
inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.
 3-5 days after symptoms begin: measles rash Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash
breaks out. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread
downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Small, raised bumps may also appear on
top of the flat red spots. The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head
to the rest of the body. When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104°
Fahrenheit.

WAYS OF TRANSMISSION

People at high risk are children, pregnant women, and those with underlying respiratory diseases

 The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when
an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.
 Patients are contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears.
 The rash usually appears about 14 days after a person is exposed. The rash spreads from the
head to the trunk to the lower extremities. 

TREATMENTS FOR MEASLES

There is no specific treatment for measles once it occurs. However, there are things that can be
done to lessen discomfort, or relieve the symptoms, such as rest, and treating or preventing
complications. Medications that could be used are Fever reducers, antibiotics, or vitamin A.
Since children are more prone to this virus, Children with low levels of vitamin A are more
likely to have a more severe case of measles. Giving a child vitamin A may lessen the severity of
measles infection. 
When you go to a doctor, which is very much recommended, they might prescribe you the
following medicines: acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to reduce fever, rest to help
boost your immune system plenty of fluids a humidifier to ease a cough and sore throat.

However, we all know that prevention is better than cure, so here are ways to prevent yourself
or anyone else around you from catching the infection or virus.
1. Immunization and Immunoglobulin Vaccination prevents measles most effectively. You can
pick between the MMRV and MMR vaccines. To avoid measles, be vaccinated.
2. Human Normal Immunoglobulin (HNIG) Those interested in learning about measles
prevention also have the option of taking HNIG. Essentially, it is a concentration of antibodies
that provide instant but temporary protection against the illness. This vaccine is appropriate for
infants younger than six months and pregnant women who have never had measles and are not
already immunized.
3. Isolation One way to avoid measles is to maintain a safe distance from infected individuals.
Four days before and four days after the rash begins, the measles is most contagious.
4. Practice Hygiene and Cleanliness To understand how to prevent measles, you need to know
how to keep yourself clean and free of infections.
• Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for
about 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth as much as possible.
• Use tissue paper to cover your mouth whenever you sneeze or cough.
• Avoid close contact, such as hugging, kissing, or sharing eating utensils, with someone
infected.

Group members:
Aerin Jaurigue
Catherine Palisbo
Dustine Placido
Marvyn Legaspi
Jhon Lorenz Idul
Measles is caused by a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus with 1 serotype. It is
classified as a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family.
Humans are the only natural hosts of measles virus.