see subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) any one of a group of *antidepressant drugs that exert their action by blocking the reabsorption of the neurotransmitter *serotonin by the nerve endings in the brain. Their effect is to prolong the action of serotonin in the brain. As well as depression, SSRIs are used to treat anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias. The group includes *citalopram, escitalopram, *fluoxetine, *fluvoxamine, *paroxetine, and *sertraline. Nausea, indigestion, abdominal pain, and other gastrointestinal disturbances are the most common side-effects.
Measles, formerly known as morbilli, is an acute infectious disease occurring mostly in children and caused by an RNA paramyxovirus.
Epidemiology There has been a dramatic fall in the number of sufferers from 1986, when more than 80,000 cases were reported. This is due to the introduction in 1988 of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR VACCINE – see also IMMUNISATION); 1990, when the proportion of children immunised reached 90 per cent, was the ?rst year in which no deaths from measles were reported. Even so, fears of side-effects of the vaccine against measles – including scienti?cally unproven and discredited claims of a link with AUTISM – mean that some children in the UK are not being immunised, and since 2002 local outbreaks of measles have been reported in a few areas of the UK. Side-effects are, however, rare and the government is campaigning to raise the rate of immunisation, with GPs being set targets for their practices.
There are few diseases as infectious as measles, and its rapid spread in epidemics is no doubt due to the fact that this viral infection is most potent in the earlier stages. Hence the dif?culty of timely isolation, and the readiness with which the disease is spread, which is mostly by infected droplets. In developing countries measles results in the death of more than a million children annually.
Symptoms The incubation period, during which the child is well, lasts 7–21 days. Initial symptoms are CATARRH, conjunctivitis (see EYE, DISORDERS OF), fever and a feeling of wretchedness. Then Koplik spots – a classic sign of measles – appear on the roof of the mouth and lining of the cheeks. The macular body rash, typical of measles, appears 3–5 days later. Common complications include otitis media (see under EAR, DISEASES OF) and PNEUMONIA. Measles ENCEPHALITIS can cause permanent brain damage. A rare event is a gradual dementing disease (see DEMENTIA) called subacute sclerosing panenecephalitis (SSPE).
Treatment Isolation of the patient and treatment of any secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or otitis, with antibiotics. Children usually run a high temperature which can be relieved with cool sponging and antipyretic drugs. Calamine lotion may alleviate any itching.... measles
Health Encyclopedia