Rubella, Measles, and Mumps - Literature review Example

Rubella, Measles and Mumps Detailed Outline for paper on Rubella, Measles and Mumps Introduction i. The measles diseases were among the plaguesthat affected people significantly in the past. It is believed to have originated from the Middle Dutch term masel as well as the Middle English word mesele. ii. The original term for measles was derived from the Medievel Latin misellus, which was understood to mean “leper.” iii. The high-fever measles was named rubeola and the one responsible muscle aches was called rubella (also German measles or three-day measles). The measles disease that caused muscle aches was named rubella because it was thought to be a more mild type of measles. iv. Rubella is also referred to as German measles because it was correctly defined in German medical literature. v. “Mumps is a contagious viral illness characterized by swelling of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands.” It was discovered in 1934 by Johnson and Goodpasture. Its vaccine was made and licensed in 1968 (Barone, Crocetti and Oski, 321). 2. Body i. Measles (Shmaefsky 78) (b). The history of measles can be dated to as early as 1880s (Shmaefsky, p.78). (c). There are two types of measles, that is Rubella and Ruboela (Shmaefsky, p.78). ii. Rubella; is a disease that cause muscle aches (Shmaefsky 81). (b). History of Rubella starts as early as 1880s (Shmaefsky, p.81). (c). Epidemiology of Rubella involves passing the disease to 90% of those who get in contact with respiratory droplets get of persons suffering from it (Shmaefsky, p.83). (d). Pathogenesis and pathology of Rubella involves measles virus entering the body system, then to the epithelial cells, and finally to the blood where it multiplies (MPS). In blood the virus advances to general toxic level. The general toxic level of the disease is associated with the presentation of rashes, pigmentation as well as koplik’s spots (Shmaefsky, p.83). (e). Clinical manifestations of Rubella appears after an incubation period 6-18 days. The clinical signs include fever, catarrhal inflammation, koplik’s spots, and appearance prodromal rashes on the skin surface (Shmaefsky, p.85). (f). Diagnosis of Rubella involves observation of epidemiologic information, clinical manifestations as well as laboratory results (Shmaefsky, p.85). (g). Treatment of Rubella ranges from application of general therapy, symptomatic therapy, to support therapy (Shmaefsky, p.86). (h). Prevention of Rubella includes control of the source of infection and protection of susceptible person (Shmaefsky, p.88). iii. Ruboela (a) Ruboela is also referred to as high-fever measles (Black, p.89). (b). Ruboella started in early 1980s (Black, p.89). (c). The epidemiology of Ruboela includes contraction of the disease to 90% of those who get in contact with it get it through fluids (Black, p.90). (d). The pathogenesis and pathology of Ruboela involves measles virus entering the body, then virus moves to the epithelial cells, then to blood where it multiplies (MPS), blood and later generates to general toxic level. When it is at the general level, Ruboela is presents rashes, pigmentation and koplik’s spots (Black, p.90). (e). Clinical manifestation of Ruboela are portrayed after the incubation period of between 6-18 days. The clinical manifestations include fever, catarrhal inflammation, koplik’s spots on the skin as well as prodromal rashes (Black, p.91). (f). Diagnosis of Ruboela involves observation of epidemiologic information, clinical manifestations as well as laboratory results (Black, p.92). (g). Treatment of Ruboela also involves use of epidemiologic information, clinical manifestations as well as laboratory results (Black, p.92). (h). Prevention of Ruboela includes control source infection and protection of susceptible person (Black, p.93). iii. Mumps (Barone, Crocetti and Oski, 327). (b). History of mumps involves the discovery of 1934 (Barone, Crocetti and Oski, p. 327). (c). Epidemiology of mumps involves transmission by direct contact (Barone, Crocetti and Oski, p. 327). (d). Pathogenesis and Pathology of mumps involves entry of the virus into the body and then its replication within the body (Barone, Crocetti and Oski, p. 329). (e). Clinical manifestations of mumps involves swelling of the parotid glands (Barone, Crocetti and Oski, p. 327-330). (f). Diagnosis of mumps involves use of serum assays (Barone, Crocetti and Oski, p. 330). (g). Treatment of mumps involves use of analgesica and antipyretics (Barone, Crocetti and Oski, p. 333). (h). Prevention of mumps involves use of mumps vaccination (Barone, Crocetti and Oski, 333). 3. Conclusion i. The measles diseases were among the plagues that affected people significantly in the past ii. The high-fever measles was named rubeola iii. Rubella also referred to as German measles because it was correctly defined in German medical literature. iv. “Mumps is a contagious viral illness characterized by swelling of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands.” Rubella, Measles and Mumps Introduction In his book Rubella and Rubeola Brian Shmaefsky asserts that “measles is a term used to describe two unrelated viral diseases called rubeola and rubella1.” According to him, the measles diseases were among the plagues that affected people significantly in the past. He further asserts that it was difficult to differentiate measles from other types of diseases. The word measles is believed to have originated from the Middle Dutch term masel as well as the Middle English word mesele. Although from different places, the two similar words were understood as a blotch or a sore on the surface of the skin. However, the original term for measles was derived from the Medievel Latin misellus, which was understood to mean “leper.” Since leprosy was known to result to large blemishes as well as rashes, the term for leprosy was used in describing measles. The term measles was found to refer to two different diseases in 1880s2. Both diseases resulted to skin rushes along symptoms relating to a cold. However, they were differentiated by their symptoms; one of them was associated with the causation of high fever whereas the other disease was accompanied by muscle aches. The high-fever measles was named rubeola and the one responsible muscle aches was called rubella (also German measles or three-day measles)3. The measles disease that caused muscle aches was named rubella because it was thought to be a more mild type of measles. Rubella is also referred to as German measles because it was correctly defined in German medical literature. Modern methods detection and prevention however have contributed immensely towards reducing the occurrence of rubeola and rubella. According to Barone, Crocetti and Oski, “mumps is a contagious viral illness characterized by swelling of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands.4” It was discovered in 1934 by Johnson and Goodpasture. Its vaccine was made and licensed in 1968. Just like measles, mumps belong to the family Paramyxoviridae. It is also a single-stranded RNA virus. Mumps is transmitted by either direct contact or via infected oropharynx droplets. The clinical manifestation of mumps is the swelling of the paratoid gland, low-grade fever as well as headache. It is also associated with malaise, anorexia as well as abdominal pains. Unilateral swelling is the one that occurs first then followed by bilateral parotid. Unilateral parotid is not common; it affects only 25% of all patients. Treatment of mumps involves use of analgesica as well as antipyretics. Respiratory isolation of patients is also very important in the management of the disease. Prevention of mumps involves taking mumps vaccine. Rubella History of Rubella Rubella is an ancient disease that was often confused with other diseases such as plague and poxes. The earliest identification of measles was by the Greek physician referred to as Thucydides. He described measles as a plague of Athens in 430 B.C. However, it is evident that he confused rubella with a certain bacterial disease known as typhoid. By the tenth century, however, the Persian physicians had managed to differentiate between measles and smallpox. By then Rubella now known as German measles was considered fatal than smallpox5. The medical records of 1400s portray the disease was rampant in Asia, Europe as well as Middle East. The disease was common in crowded areas. The actual description of the disease however took place in the 1500s and 1600s6. Among the people that gave the clear definition of measles include German physician by name Frierich Hoffmann in 1740. His findings were later confirmed by other European physicians in the 1700s and 1800s. By the early 1800s, almost every person was in a position to distinguish rubella from other types of diseases. Pathogenesis of rubella According to Shmaefsky, rubella penetrates the body by first attaching to the epithelial cells that line the mouth and nose. After attaching, they then infect the cells of the lining, releasing the viruses to the tissues surrounding the affected cells. The released virus then moves down to the respiratory system. Some viruses move in the bloodstream by penetrating the blood vessels of the respiratory system. The viruses begin to multiply in the cells they come across, and then spread to other cells within the body. They infect all cells they come across which then produce interleukins. The infection becomes significant with the increase in the release of interleukins. The virus takes an incubation period of about two to three weeks before the signs and symptoms start to appear. Clinical manifestations of rubella According to Shmaefsky, the diagnosis of rubella is very difficult during its initial stage after infection for the reason that its signs and symptoms are not only mild, but also resemble those of the diseases caused bacteria and other types of viruses. At its initial stage, rubella is often confused with influenza or the common cold7. However, it becomes distinguishable after about two to three weeks of an individual’s exposure to the virus. The identification of the disease in young children is very difficult because its signs resemble those of other diseases. The signs and symptoms of Rubella often last for about two to three days after the initial infection making the disease be referred to as three-day measles. According to Shmaefsky, the signs and symptoms of the disease vary significantly from one person to another because of age as well as overall health. Additionally, it is evident that the signs and symptoms of rubella are severe to individuals susceptible to diseases. The early signs of rubella are mainly the presentation of a running nose common to colds. The progress of the disease then results to the feelings of malaise, diarrhea as well as a low-grade fever. In most occasions, the fever ranges between 990F and 1000F which is the key contributor to mild discomfort8. These symptoms last for approximately five days. The spread of the disease down the respiratory system results to headache as well as well as the blackening of the back of the throat. The disease may also lead to the swelling of the lymph nodes at the lower part of the skull, behind the ears as well as the back of the neck. Some people may also show not only reddened eyes, but also inflammation of the conjunctiva. The extensive spread of the disease results to the formation of small pinkish rash on the face after approximately three of the infection. According to Shmaefsky, it is possible for the disease to result to fetal death before or after delivery. Epidemiology of rubella “The National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) in Ireland reported 1,221 cases of rubella by August of that year.” In most occasions, less than 100 cases of rubella are reported yearly. According to Shmaefsky, the occurrence of the disease was as a result of people fearing to be vaccinated against measles. Diagnosis of rubella The diagnosis of rubella involves testing for rubella antibodies in the blood. In most occasions, the test is performed with pregnant women to determine whether they are at risk of the disease. Several laboratory methods are employed in the detection of the rubella antibodies. The most preferred method however is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thus, identification of rubella IgM in a serum is very elemental in diagnosing acute rubella. Rubella IgG antibodies are also detected by aid of commercial EIAs in a span of seven days. Fetal blood, as well as fetal stool, can also be used in the diagnosis of rubella. Prevention and Treatment of rubella The infection of rubella results to the production of antibodies by the body’s immune system to defend against the virus. The produced antibodies remain in the body for many years. Clinical laboratory testing is also very crucial in determining whether a person has been vaccinated against rubella. Rubella vaccination is often given to women before becoming pregnant in order to prevent the contraction of the disease9. Rubella infection has no special treatment, and as a result of that, it is advisable for an infected person to take enough rest. Since rubella is very contagious, it is advisable for the infected persons to stay away from public places in the early one week of the infection. Ruboela (measles) Measles is an extremely contagious disease that is caused by a virus that only multiplies within a living cell. However, humans are the only living things that can develop the disease after being exposed to the virus. Its occurrence is associated with the inhalation of water vapor droplets of people suffering from the disease. The measles virus can survive for approximately two hours in the air after a person suffering from it leaves the room. The information about measles was published for the first time in the 19th century10. The publication by Francis Home, a Scottish physician, showed that measles was caused by an infectious agent that was within the blood of the patient in 1757. Measles became a national identical disease in 1912 leading to the U.S. healthcare providers as well as laboratories to provide information about the diagnosed cases. In the first ten years after its discovery, the disease caused approximately 6,000 deaths each year11. Before 1963 when the vaccine was introduced, almost all children below the age of 15 had contracted the disease. It is approximated 3 to 4 million people in the U.S got measles each year. Each year was also associated with about 500 deaths, 48,000 hospitalization cases, and 4,000 developed encephalitis as a result of measles. According to Rosaler, rubeola was carried to the U.S by the European colonists who were slightly harmed by the disease because of their immunity. Pathogenesis of measles People get measles by contacting with the water droplets from an infected person. The virus spreads to the adjacent cells after getting in contact with a person’s epithelial lining of the mouth or nose. In the cells, the virus replicates producing many viruses that proceed to other linings of the airways12. The virus uses the energy from the host for further multiplication as well as spread to other parts of the body. Clinical manifestation of measles After approximately ten days after being exposed to the measles virus, a person infected with measles depicts rash, high fever, and runny nose. The patient of measles also coughs as well as present watery eyes. The eye symptoms can also advance into the conjunctivitis, a condition associated with swelling and reddening of the eye as well as loss of sensitivity to the light. The skin of the victim of the disease always appears bright with red spots that vary from each other significantly. The red spots multiply very fast leading to them appearing like a red mass. In addition to the red rash, a victim may also have light spots on the inside of his or her cheek. These spots are the ones that are referred to as koplik’s spots13. These common measles symptoms appear for approximately two weeks. According to Rosaler, most people get healed from measles within ten days. After getting healed from measles a person, develops immunity as well as stop being contagious. Extreme measles can result to ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, and diarrhea. Epidemiology of measles As introduced above, measles spread from one person to another through contact with the infected fluid, and humans are the well-known carriers as well as the source of the virus. The monkey can also get infected with measles. Measles is extremely contagious, and any person who does not have measles antibodies can easily acquire the disease. The persons with weak immune system are the most affected by measles. Due to availability of vaccination against measles, its mortality rate is approximately 1%. Diagnosis of measles Measles have many diverse clinical characteristics that aid in its diagnosis. Apart from being characterized by the presence of Koplik’s spots, the disease also results to a rash that runs from the head to the extremities14. There is also the appearance of fever almost immediately after the rush. A temperature of 38.30 and above is also associated with the disease. Thus, it is also one of the things that are observed in the diagnosis of measles. Laboratory diagnosis through measurement of IgG antibody as well as IgM serologic response also plays a very significant role in the diagnosis of measles. Treatment and prevention of measles There is no actual treatment for measles. The condition however improves without any treatment within a period of ten days. The symptoms of measles can be relieved through use of drugs such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Prevention of measles is enhanced by use of measles vaccine that contains live, weakened measles virus. Measles vaccine is given in specific doses as prescribed by doctors to contain the disease. Measles vaccine is often given to 9-month-old children in order to combat the morbidity as mortality of measles15. It is also recommendable for people to accompany measles vaccination with administration of the MMR vaccine. Additionally, it is advisable for the sick to prevent the spreading the disease by avoiding going in public places. Mumps Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by a paramyxovirus. Mumps virus is extremely transmissible, and it results to a severe epidemic to the population that is not immunized. Mumps was discovered in 1934 through an experiment that was carried out by Johnson and Goodpasture in 1934. A vaccine for mumps was made and licensed in 1968. According to Barone, Crocetti and Oski, “mumps is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the family of paramyxoviridae.” Epidemiology of mumps In unvaccinated places, mumps is regarded as a disease of school-aged children. Mumps rarely occurs in children below one-year-old probably because of the transplacentally acquired antibody. Mumps cases are occasional to children of the age between 4 and 7 years. The children of the age 15 years and above rarely get the disease because they usually antibodies against mumps. Before the invention of attenuated mumps vaccine in the U.S. in 1967, mumps disease was an endemic. However, the largest number of cases of mumps was reported in 1941 when the incidence of the disease was approximately 250 cases in a population of 100,000 people. In 1968, after the introduction of the attenuated mumps vaccine, the incidence of the disease dropped to 76 cases in a population of 100,000 people. By 1985, the incidence of the disease had dropped by 98%, its occurrence had reached 1-1 cases in a population of 100,000 people. The sporadic occurrence of mumps in schools was as a result of the failure of the primary vaccine against mumps. The occurrence of the disease in the U.S. as well as Canada in 2005 and 2006 evidenced that mumps can occur in any place including places with highly vaccinated population. The importance of vaccinating adolescents, as well as children, was emphasized after a serious outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2004 and 2005; over 56,000 cases of the disease were reported. According to Barone, Crocetti and Oski, the disease is very fatal because humans are the only known host for mumps. Pathogenesis of mumps Mumps is often transmitted into people by the inoculation of the virus to the nasal and basal mucosa. This is often enhanced by the droplets of an infected person getting in contact with the epithelial lining of the mouth and nose. The virus from the droplet finds its way to the respiratory system of the susceptible individual resulting to the disease. According to Barone, Crocetti and Oski, “the average incubation period for mumps is about 18 days.16” During the initial stage, it is believed that the virus continues to multiply in the epithelial cells, which is then followed with the spread of the viruses to the lymph nodes, glandular and neural tissue. Mumps virus is then introduced to the CNS by plasma viremia17. Replication of the disease’s virus then replicates in choroidal epithelium before infecting the choroidal epithelium. Clinical manifestation of mumps Mumps illness is associated with the swelling of the parotid gland. Low-grade fever, anorexia, abdominal pain as well as malaise are also associated with the disease18. Unilateral swelling often occurs first, then followed by the involvement of the bilateral parotid. Fever as a result of this disease always lasts for only week; it disappears before the resolving of the parotid swelling which takes place after about ten days19. Orchitis that is accompanied with high fever, as well as severe pain, is also associated with the disease. Development of unilateral orchitis is also associated with swelling, nausea and vomiting. The affection of the CNS by the disease also results to headache, nausea and vomiting. Other clinical manifestations of mumps are pancreatitis and mastitis. Mumps also results to thyroiditis and oophoritis. Diagnosis of mumps In the past, diagnosis of mumps involved observance of clinical manifestations. Currently, the advancement in technology has led to the use of laboratory in identification of the disease. “Serum assays for mumps IgM and IgG are readily available through reference labs using enzyme immunoassay technique.20” Mumps virus is also grown successfully on cotton swabs of materials from urine and CSF21. According to Barone, Crocetti and Oski, positive swab cultures confirm the presence of the disease. Treatment and prevention of mumps Treatment of mumps involves use of analgesics and antipyretics. Antibiotics are often not recommended for the management of mumps. It is advisable for the sick to be isolated from other people in order to prevent mumps from spreading. Patients are considered un-contagious nine days after initial infection. Prevention of mumps involves use of mumps vaccine. All children between 12 and 15 months should be vaccinated against mumps22. In conclusion measles, rubella, and mumps are viral diseases that are transmitted through water droplets of infected people. The water droplets from the diseases are very contagious, and as a result of this, they spread very fast when they get in contact with an epithelial lining. The viruses of the diseases multiply very fast in the epithelial cells. The rapid replication of the viruses is the one responsible is the one responsible for the spread of the disease to other parts of the body. The measles disease, rubella and mumps were among the plagues that affected people in the past. The high fever measles was named rubeola. Rubella, a type of a disease that resembles measles, was very common in German in the past. Rubella, rubeola and mumps do not have a specific medication. Their prevention involves protecting oneself from the water droplets of an infected patient. Bibliography Barone, Michael, Crocetti Michael and Oski, Frank. Oskis Essential Pediatrics Essential Pediatrics. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004. Black, Jacquelyn, Microbiology Principles and Explorations 8th edition. New York: Wiley, 2012. Griffin, Diane and Oldstone Michael, Measles: Pathogenesis and Control. New York: Springer Science & Business Media, 2008. Griffiths, Jeffrey, Heggenhougen Kristian, Maguire James, and Quah, Stella, Public Health and Infectious Diseases. New York: Elsevier, 2010. Kapoian, Toros and Motacki, Kathleen, An Illustrated Guide to Infection Control. New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2011. 35-37. Marra, Christina, Scheld Michael and Whitley Richard, Infections of the Central Nervous. New York: SystemLippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2014. Messenger, Stephanie, Melanies Marvelous Measles. New York: Trafford Publishing, 2012. Jacoby, David, Encyclopedia of Family Health: Prostate gland-Rubella. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 1998. Rosaler, Maxine, Measles. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2004. 7-38. Shmaefsky, Brian, Rubella and Rubeola. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2009. 50-61 Read More