Measles:

• caused by the measles virus

  
  

• transmission by infected airborne droplets released when a patient coughs; also by contact (contagion)

  
  

• symptoms include coughing, catarrh, red rash on the face and head which later spreads downwards, white spots inside the mouth (Koplik's spots)

  
  

• prevention is by vaccination at age 15 months. The vaccine contains live, attenuated virus which brings about active immunity. It is usually combined with a vaccine for mumps and rubella (MMR vaccine).
  Patients may be isolated to prevent spread

  
  

• injection of gamma globulin within five days of exposure to infection may prevent the appearance of symptoms. The gamma globulin contains antibodies which destroy the virus
  
• antibiotics may be given to combat secondary bacterial infections

The terms vaccination and immunisation are both correctly used to describe the introduction of antigenic material into the body with the object of bringing about immunity from infection, though it may be noted that the latter term describes both the process and its desired result.