PICU Doc On Call Measly Business - A Guide for the Pediatric Intensivist
Mar 30, 2025
Measles is making a comeback in the U.S., with recent outbreaks highlighting critical public health challenges. Experts discuss the virus's clinical features, complications, and the essential role of vaccinations in preventing spread. They delve into vaccine hesitancy, linking it to historical outbreaks and stressing the necessity of strong immunization efforts. Listeners will also learn about the immune response to measles and the importance of public advocacy for childhood vaccinations to protect vulnerable populations.
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Measles Pathogenesis Explained
- Measles virus enters via respiratory tract using specific receptors like CD150 and DC-SIGN.
- It spreads via lymphatics causing systemic infection and characteristic tissue changes including multinucleated giant cells.
Immune Response to Measles
- Measles causes temporary immune suppression but activates lasting immunity during recovery.
- Cellular immunity is essential to clear infection; antibody deficiency alone doesn't cause severe disease.
Clinical Progression of Measles
- Measles follows incubation, prodrome with cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and then cephalocaudal rash phases.
- Koplik spots are pathognomonic and rash color changes as illness progresses.