Measles, sometimes known as rubeola, is a well-known, highly contagious virus. Although its tell-tale symptoms are body-covering red spots often accompanied by a mild fever, it is in fact a respiratory disease that can lead to life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and encephalitis (or brain swelling and degeneration). And indeed, in countries where malnutrition and poor health are prevalent, measles infections can be fatal.
The good news is that in 1963 scientists synthesized a vaccine from a live rubeola virus, and nearly all children in the developed world are now inoculated against measles, typically along with mumps and rubella when they receive their MMR shot. (A vaccine against varicella, the virus which causes chickenpox, is now often included in the shot, making it the MMRV.)
However, in developing nations that lack widespread vaccination programs, measles remains a significant health threat. Indeed, the World Health Organization calls measles one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable childhood death.
Fortunately, international efforts to vaccinate against measles are having a significant impact upon the incidence of measles worldwide. As global vaccination campaigns continue, additional lives will be saved.
(Measles is not to be confused with German measles which is caused by a completely different virus.)
