Lung disease during measles: A clinical case study

Measles is an acute and highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus, a member of the paramyxoviridae family. It is mainly transmitted via the respiratory system through droplets or aerosols. The incubation period is 10 to 12 days, followed by initial symptoms including high fever, cough, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and Koplik spots. A maculopapular rash appears a few days later, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Although often benign, measles can cause serious complications, particularly lung disease, which may result from viral invasion and an excessive immune response. Symptoms include cough, respiratory distress, and sometimes severe hypoxia. Prevention is primarily through vaccination, which significantly reduces the incidence of severe forms and associated respiratory complications. We report the case of a patient with measles complicated by pulmonary involvement.