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What individuals are most likely to develop subacute sclerosing panencephalitis from measles infection?
It is most common among people who had measles infection prior to the age of two years.
What is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a long-lasting (chronic) infection of the central nervous system that causes inflammation of the brain. The infection is caused by an altered form of the measles virus.
What is the outcome of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
As SSPE is almost always fatal, emphasis is placed upon maintaining comfort, rather than rehabilitation.
What are final stages of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
Blindness may develop, and the temperature may spike (rise rapidly) and fall unpredictably as the brain structures responsible for temperature regulation are affected. Death is inevitable.
What are advanced symptoms of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
The disease progresses so that the individual becomes increasingly dependent, ultimately becoming bedridden and unaware of his or her surroundings.
What are the initial symptoms of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
Initial symptoms include a change in behavior, irritability, memory loss, and difficulty in forming thoughts and solving problems.
What rare complication can occur up to ten years after recovering from measles?
Called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, this is a slowly progressing, smoldering swelling and destruction of the entire brain.
What is the diagnosis for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
Experts believe this condition is a form of measles encephalitis (swelling of the brain), caused by an improper response by the immune system to the measles virus.
What are the causes of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
The disease is caused by the reactivated form of a mutated measles virus. The inactive form of the virus can be present in the body for up to 10 years following the initial bout of measles before the symptoms of SSPE develop.
What are initial symptoms of measles associated subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
Symptoms include changes in personality, decreased intelligence with accompanying school problems, decreased coordination, involuntary jerks and movements of the body.
Who is affected by subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
Children and young adults are primarily affected with SSPE. Males are also more affected than females, with a male-to-female ratio of 4:1. Those in rural areas are much more susceptible.
What is the short term and long term effects of measles?
Short-term effects of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash, which can lead to complications like diarrhea and otitis media. In the long term, measles can cause more serious complications such as encephalitis, which can lead to permanent neurological damage or death, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal degenerative disease that can develop years after infection. Additionally, measles can weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to other infections for months to years. Vaccination is key to preventing these effects.
