KEY POINTS:
- Measles is very contagious and can be serious.
- Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.
- Symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after infection. Two doses of MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles.
- Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications.
- Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.
Signs and Symptoms:
Seek care Immediately! Call your healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles. Measles isn't just a little rash. Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Measles typically begins with:
- High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
- Cough
- Runny nose (coryza)
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Koplik spots appear. Koplik spots are tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.
Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
- Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
- The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
- When the rash appears, a person's fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.
Common complications from measles are:
- Ear infections occur in about 1 out of every 10 children with measles.
- Diarrhea is reported in less than 1 out of 10 people with measles.
Who is at risk?
Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, there are several groups that are more likely to suffer from measles complications:
- Children younger than 5 years of age
- Adults older than 20 years of age
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infectionTO
“Prevent measles by getting vaccinated.”