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What is measles?

Measles (also called rubeola) is a serious respiratory illness. This means it affects the lungs and breathing tubes. It also causes a rash and a fever. It is a very contagious disease. It can be spread to others very easily. In rare cases, it can be deadly.

Measles used to be a common childhood illness. Then a vaccine was created to fight against it.

Symptoms of measles

Measles often starts with the following symptoms:

• High fever
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes

A few days after these symptoms start, tiny white spots called Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth. Following this, a rash of small, flat red spots will appear on your skin. Sometimes small raised bumps may appear on top of the flat red spots. The rash usually starts on the face and then spreads down the rest of the body. After a few days, the fever and rash start to slowly go away.

Symptoms usually start 8 to 12 days after you’ve been exposed to the virus. You are contagious for 3 to 5 days before the rash breaks out. The contagious period continues for 4 days after the rash appears.

What causes measles?

Measles is caused by a virus. The virus is spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. You can catch measles by being in the same room as an infected person, even if that person has been gone for up to 2 hours. It is very contagious. If you are exposed to measles and you haven’t received the vaccine, you will likely catch the virus.

Those unvaccinated people at highest risk of catching measles are:

• Infants
• Pregnant women
• People with impaired immune systems

How is measles diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will examine you. They will ask you about your symptoms. Usually they can diagnose measles based on the rash and the Koplik spots.

Can measles be prevented or avoided?

Measles is almost completely preventable through the measles vaccine. The vaccine is called the MMR shot. MMR stands for measles, mumps, and rubella. The one vaccine protects you from all 3 diseases. The MMR shot is a very safe vaccine. Healthcare providers recommend that children get 2 doses of the vaccine for the best protection.

Adults born in 1970 or later who have not had measles disease or received two doses of measles vaccine will be publicly funded to receive two doses.

Measles treatment

There is no cure for measles. The disease has to run its course. Treatment usually involves relieving symptoms. This can include:

• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers for pain or fever. Some OTC pain relievers include acetaminophen (1 brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (1 brand name: Advil). Never give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness. Aspirin has been linked to Reye syndrome, which can affect the brain and liver.
• Drinking plenty of fluids.
• Getting extra rest.

It is important to keep your child out of school or child care when they have measles. They need to stay away from anyone who may not have been vaccinated against the disease.

Living with measles

Measles used to be common, before the vaccine was developed. Some people think it isn’t a harmful disease. But measles can cause serious health problems. Children under age 5 are most at risk of complications from measles. About 1 in 4 people who get measles need to be hospitalized.

Common complications of measles include ear infections and diarrhea. Severe complications could include:

• Pneumonia (infection of the lungs). This is the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
• Encephalitis (swelling of the brain). This can leave a child deaf or with an intellectual disability.

It is important that you and your child get the measles vaccine. It provides long-lasting protection from the disease.

QUESTIONS TO ASK A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

• My child has been exposed to measles. What should I watch out for?
• How long do I need to keep my child away from others?
• What signs should I look out for that could mean my child is developing complications from measles?
• Why is it important that my child gets the MMR vaccine?
• Can adults get the MMR vaccine?

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Measles

U.S. National Library of Medicine, Measles