Measles
Measles is a very contagious (easily spread) illness caused by a virus.
Causes
Measles is spread by contact with droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of an infected person. Sneezing and coughing can put contaminated droplets into the air.
If one person has the measles, 90% of the people who come in contact with that person will get the measles, unless they have been vaccinated.
People who had measles or who have been vaccinated against measles are protected from the disease. As of 2000, measles had been eliminated in the United States. However, unvaccinated people who travel to other countries where measles is common have brought the disease back to the United States. This has led to recent outbreaks of measles in groups of people who are unvaccinated.
Some parents do not let their children get vaccinated. This is because of unfounded fears that the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, can cause autism. Parents and caregivers should know that:
- Large studies of thousands of children have found no connection between this or any vaccine and autism.
- Reviews by all major health organizations in the United States, Great Britain, and elsewhere all found NO LINK between the MMR vaccine and autism.
- The study that had first reported a risk of autism from this vaccine has been proven to be fraudulent.
Symptoms
Symptoms of measles usually begin 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. This is called the incubation period.
Rash is often the main symptom. The rash:
- Usually appears 3 to 5 days after the first signs of being sick
- May last 4 to 7 days
- Usually starts on the head and spreads to other areas, moving down the body
- May appear as flat, discolored areas (macules) and solid, red, raised areas (papules) that later join together
Macules
A macule is a flat, distinct, discolored area of skin. It usually does not include a change in skin texture or thickness.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticlePapules
A papule is a solid or cystic raised spot on the skin that is less than 1 centimeter (cm) wide. It is a type of skin lesion.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Itches
Other symptoms may include:
- Bloodshot eyes
Bloodshot eyes
Eye redness is most often due to swollen or dilated blood vessels. This makes the surface of the eye look red or bloodshot.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Cough
- Fever
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
- Muscle pain
Muscle pain
Muscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Muscle pain also can involve ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Fascias are th...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Red and inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
Conjunctivitis
The conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye. Conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva becomes ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about symptoms. The diagnosis can be made by looking at the rash and seeing Koplik spots in the mouth. Sometimes measles can be hard to diagnose in which case blood tests may need to be done.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for the measles.
The following may relieve symptoms:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Bed rest
- Humidified air
Some children may need vitamin A supplements, which reduce the risk of death and complications in children who do not get enough vitamin A.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Those who do not have complications such as pneumonia do very well.
Possible Complications
Complications of measles infection may include:
- Irritation and swelling of the main passages that carry air to the lungs (bronchitis)
Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Diarrhea
- Irritation and swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Ear infection (otitis media)
Otitis media
Suspected ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the health care provider. The most common type of ear inf...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you or your child has symptoms of measles.
Prevention
Getting vaccinated is a very effective way to prevent measles. People who are not immunized, or who have not received the full immunization, are at high risk of catching the disease if they are exposed.
Vaccinated
All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/h...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleTaking serum immune globulin within 6 days after being exposed to the virus can reduce the risk of developing measles or make the disease less severe.
Reviewed By
Charles I. Schwartz MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Measles (rubeola). www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html. Updated May 29, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2024.
Cherry JD, Lugo D. Measles virus. In: Cherry JD, Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 180.
Maldonado YA, Shetty AK. Rubeola virus: measles and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. In: Long SS, Prober CG, Fischer M, Kimberlin DW, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 227.