Measles
Biology: Cambridge International A Level, topic 10.1.6
Measles
Measles is caused by the measles morbillivirus.
Pathogen
- The morbillivirus causes measles.
- It is a small, highly contagious virus that infects the respiratory system.
Treatment
- There is a successful vaccine for measles.
- If an individual is infected, treatment is conservative and involves pain killers.
Transmission
- Measles is spread by airborne droplets. These droplets are released when an individual coughs or sneezes.
Prevention
- Prevention is best achieved through the measles vaccine.
- Measles is highly infectious, but infected individuals.
- Social factors such as promoting the importance of vaccination are vital in preventing measles spread.
- There was some controversy surrounding a fake scientific paper than linked the measles (MMR) vaccine with autism.
- This decreased vaccine uptake.
Test yourself on Measles
How is measles spread?