The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
A highly contagious disease, also known as measles, for which there is a vaccine available.
Rubeola, also known as measles, is a serious and highly contagious disease. It is spread by airborne droplets that are introduced into the atmosphere when an infected person sneezes or coughs. The symptoms of measles are a rash over most of the body, high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. The symptoms generally persist for up to two weeks. A small percentage (approximately 10%) of children with measles develop more serious symptoms, such as ear infection, pneumonia, diarrhea, and seizures. In rare instances, measles can result in encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), brain damage, and in extremely rare instances, death. A vaccine against measles has been widely available since 1963, and epidemics are rare. In the 1990s, a few outbreaks of measles were attributed to relaxed attitudes about immunization, since the disease seems to be under control. Rubeola, like rubella (German measles) is especially threatening to unborn fetuses. If a woman contracts rubeola during pregnancy, miscarriage, premature birth, or birth defects can result. Any woman considering pregnancy should verify her immunization against rubeola, rubella, and mumps. The combination vaccine (MMR vaccine) is often given at about age 15 months, and between 11 and 12 years of age.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIADID)
Address: 9000 Rockville Pike
NIH Building 31, Room 7A50
Bethesda, MD 20892-2520
Telephone: (301) 496-5717
(Arm of the National Institutes of Health that deals with allergies and diseases.)
National Vaccine Information Center
Address: 128 Branch Road
Vienna, VA 22180