Measles

Brandon Rocco The infection is very contagious, and it is transmitted through airborne droplets when the infected person coughs and sneezes. Usually the infection does not require any treatment, and goes away on its own. Once a person gets measles, he or she develops life long immunity.
 * Measles** is a viral infection that causes a rash on the body. The infected person also can suffer from fever, cough, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

**Where did Measles come from?**

It is believed that measles could have come from a dog disease known as distemper. Centuries ago when man was domesticating dogs, it is quite possible that the disease jumped from the animal onto the humans after the virus mutated. This most probably occurred when humans started living in cities because the virus that causes measles requires a large population to sustain itself. So, with that being said measles could have started around 2000 BC in West Africa.


 * When was the first contact with Measles? **

The first scientific description of measles was written by Ibn Razi, a Persian physician, in 900 AD. He also wrote how to distinguish measles from the dreaded smallpox. However, Ibn Razi assumed that measles and smallpox were related to the same disease.

By the 1500s, most of the adult population in Europe, North Africa and Asia had already been infected with measles. With that being said the adults were than immune to the infection. As a result of this it was the children who were being struck by the infection. In 1500 AD European explores and traders brought measles as well as small pox to North and South Americas. These infections wreaked havoc among the indigenous people as the natives had no clue or immunity to the disease.
 * When were people affected? **


 * When was a vaccination created? **

A vaccine for measles was developed in 1950s by John Enders, and then in the 1960s children in North America and Europe were vaccinated using this vaccine.

**Fatality rates**

Fatality rates are 3 deaths in 1000 in developed countries and can be as high as 28% in under developed nations.

**Treatment**

There is no treatment for measles since most people recover naturally. Any secondary infections can be treated with antibiotics.

Sources

Medicine.Net http://www.medicinenet.com/measles_rubeola/article.htm http://www.medicinenet.com/measles_rubeola/page3.htm