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What are the symptoms of measles?

Early symptoms of measles resemble cold symptoms. They can include mild to moderate fever; coughing; a sore throat; sneezing; a runny nose; reddish, watery eyes that are sensitive to light, and; malaise (a general feeling of unwellness). Two to three days after the early symptoms appear, Koplik's spots (small white spots inside the mouth) appear, and normally disappear after a day or so. A rash appears three to five days after the start of the early symptoms, starting behind the ears and spreading downwards to the rest of the body. Along with the rash, fever can increase in severity to above 40 degrees Celsius. Symptoms of measles normally last about seven to 10 days.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that typically causes a skin rash and fevers, mostly in young children. It has the potential to cause serious complications, including death.

Who gets measles?

Any person who is not immune can get measles. The disease is most common among children aged one to five years.

How is measles diagnosed?

Your doctor will diagnose measles by the clinical signs, particularly the rash, and confirm it with blood tests.

How is measles treated?

There is no specific treatment for measles. Once the disease is established in the body, treatment involves supportive measures and watching out for complications.

Is measles contagious?

Measles is a highly contagious condition.

How is measles spread?

When an infected person sneezes or coughs, millions of tiny droplets, each containing many viruses, are spread into the air. The droplets can infect by entering your nose or mouth. The droplets can also collect on surfaces and objects. You can catch the virus by …

Can measles be prevented?

A measles vaccine is available and routinely provided for children above 12 months of age.

Is measles serious?

Normally, measles is not serious. However, complications of measles can appear in up to two in every five (40%) of cases and may be serious, even fatal.

What happens if measles occurs during pregnancy?

Pregnant women infected with measles are at increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and stillbirth.

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About this article

Author: Dr Joanne Van der Velden PhD, BSc (Hons)
First answered: 18 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Votes: 536 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Pink eye

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