Application of Community Health & Population-Focused Nursing

Western Governors University

Measles

1. Describe the Chosen Outbreak Measles is virus with a single-stranded RNA and two membranes: a fusion protein that infuses into the host cell membrane and the hemagglutinin protein that absorbs the virus into the cells. The primary site for invasion is in the epithelium of the nares. Measles is highly contagious and very infectious because it is easily transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours and infect many people who inhale the infectious agent or touch a surface, then be introduced to a new host through touch to the eyes or nose. Once the measles virus (agent) enters a person, he is now a host and harbor the virus. The virus enters its incubation period that can last 10 to 12 days before any symptoms of sickness usually a fever of 103-105 degrees. This incubation period is a communicable stage because the virus can be spread to another before the original victim is even aware of being infected. A few days later the virus (infection) invades the lymph nodes, multiplies, and enters the blood stream. Five to seven days later, the virus is in the respiratory system and the pathological reaction to the infection is now a disease: a cough, runny nose, possible eye infection, followed by spots. These spots are in the mucous membranes and is the first real indication of the measles. Measles has an incubation period of 10-12 days from the first exposure to the virus to development of the rash. The completion of the disease takes from 7 to 21 days. The maculopapular eruption of a rash begins on the hairline and moves to the face and upper neck and slowly down until reaching the hands and feet. The rash disappears the same way it began.