Measles

Measles is a viral infection that causes a rash, high fever, and cough. Measles is the most serious of the childhood infections associated with a rash. Measles may cause symptoms such as a sore throat, ear infection, diarrhea, or pneumonia. Sometimes, measles may lead to inflammation of the brain and seizures. Measles is not common because children get immunized before they are 2 years of age and again when they start school.

Measles is spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. It can be transmitted from 4 days before the rash appears to 4 days after the rash starts.

Symptoms occur 10 to 14 days after exposure. The infected person will first get a fever that can be as high as 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or 39.4 to 40.6 degrees Celsius. The fever may last 2 to 3 days. In addition to fever, there may be symptoms such as a dry cough, runny nose, red and swollen eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, and white spots inside the mouth. When the fever breaks, the rash appears. The rash usually starts on the face and neck, then spreads down the trunk and out to the arms and legs. The rash lasts 5 to 6 days. It will disappear in the same order as it appeared. As it fades, it may peel off in small flakes. Adults who are not immune may be infected by the measles virus and have headache, tiredness, joint aches, and tender, swollen lymph nodes on the back of the neck and behind and in front of the ears. Measles usually lasts between 10 and 14 days.

To help with symptoms, you can:

• Add moisture to the air with a vaporizer to ease symptoms. Nose drops and cough medicine may help relieve a stuffy nose and cough.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Dim bright lights if the eyes are sensitive.
• Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control fever. Check with your healthcare provider before you give medicine that contains aspirin or salicylates to a child or teen because of the risk for a serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can cause stomach bleeding and other problems. Take the medicine only as directed.
• Give a sponge bath with lukewarm water to help bring down a high fever.

Women who are infected with German measles during the first 3 months of pregnancy may have a miscarriage or stillbirth, or the child may be born with serious birth defects. Blood tests can be done to check for immunity to measles.

Tips to help prevent measles include:

• Avoid contact with anyone with measles if you have not had measles or a vaccination for measles.
• Make sure children get the measles, mumps, rubella, or MMR, vaccine. The first shot is given between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years of age. The vaccine may also be given within 3 days after exposure. It may not prevent this very serious disease but may decrease the severity of the symptoms.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File infd4550.htm Release 13/2010