Measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that mainly infects the respiratory tract and can also affect the skin.

• How it spreads: It usually spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Tiny droplets carrying the virus can be breathed in by others.
• Common signs: It often starts with fever and a sore throat, followed by a reddish rash that can begin around the face/neck and then spread to other parts of the body.
• Why it spreads so easily: The virus can pass quickly in places where many people are close together (like classrooms or buses), especially if someone is coughing or sneezing.
• Prevention: Vaccination is the most effective protection. Good hygiene (covering mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing, washing hands) also reduces spread.
• Protecting others: If someone has measles, isolation (staying away from others for a period) helps stop the virus from reaching more people.

Measles is a good example of why stopping germs at the “air route” (covering coughs/sneezes and vaccination) can prevent outbreaks.