ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the case study of a 42-year-old woman. A 42-year-old woman presents to the accident and emergency department with a 1-week history of malaise and a widespread rash that started on her face and spread distally. She has an extensive erythematous maculopapular eruption, which is particularly marked on her face, neck and trunk. Patients frequently experience a prodrome of fever and malaise with photophobia and conjunctivitis. This woman was obviously unwell on admission. A viral illness was suspected but a possible reaction to amoxicillin was also considered. Oral fluid swab and serology confirmed a diagnosis of measles. Oral fluid can be collected using a foam swab and sent to the virology laboratory for rapid diagnosis of measles via RNA detection tests. Management of measles is largely supportive and patients should be isolated, so they don’t transmit this highly infectious disease; however, patients may need admitting to hospital for treatment of any serious complications that may arise.
