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Measles
Rubeola
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 usually begin 8 to 12 days after you are exposed 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.
ImageRead 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.
ImageRead 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.
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Cough
Cough
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...
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Fever
Fever
Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Light sensitivity ( photophobia )
-
Muscle pain
Muscle pain
Muscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than 1 muscle. Muscle pain also can involve ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Fascia are the s...
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Red and inflammed 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...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik's spots)
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about symptoms. Usually the diagnosis is easily made from the telltale rash and Koplik's spots.
If needed, blood tests may 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:
-
Irriation and swelling of the main passages that carry air to the lungs (
bronchitis
)
Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, which makes it...
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Irritation and swelling of the brain (
encephalitis
)
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.
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Ear infection (
otitis media
)
Otitis media
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the doctor. The most common type of ear infection is called otitis ...
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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
Call 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.
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...
Taking 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.
References
Gershon AA. Measles virus (rubeola). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Updated Edition. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 162.
Mason WH. Measles. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 246.
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Measles, Koplik spots - close-up - illustration
Koplik spots are seen with measles. They are small, white spots (often on a reddened background) that occur on the inside of the cheeks early in the course of measles.
Measles, Koplik spots - close-up
illustration
-
Measles on the back - illustration
Measles outbreaks still occur in the United States, usually among groups that do not believe in immunizations or in areas where immunization levels have fallen below the critical level. It is a fairly serious childhood infection that is recognized by the rash (as seen here), Koplik spots, red eyes and photophobia, and coughing.
Measles on the back
illustration
-
Antibodies - illustration
Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens.
Antibodies
illustration
-
Measles, Koplik spots - close-up - illustration
Koplik spots are seen with measles. They are small, white spots (often on a reddened background) that occur on the inside of the cheeks early in the course of measles.
Measles, Koplik spots - close-up
illustration
-
Measles on the back - illustration
Measles outbreaks still occur in the United States, usually among groups that do not believe in immunizations or in areas where immunization levels have fallen below the critical level. It is a fairly serious childhood infection that is recognized by the rash (as seen here), Koplik spots, red eyes and photophobia, and coughing.
Measles on the back
illustration
-
Antibodies - illustration
Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens.
Antibodies
illustration
-
Measles
(Alt. Medicine)
Review Date: 8/31/2016
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
