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Overview
What Is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that spreads through the air. It most often affects children who are not immune, but teenagers and adults can also become infected. Common features include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a widespread red rash. Vaccination is the main protection against measles.
Symptoms
Measles Symptoms
Symptoms commonly begin after an incubation period of about 10 to 14 days, although timing can vary. Early measles may look like another respiratory infection, with fever and cold-like symptoms before the characteristic rash appears.
- High fever.
- Cough.
- Runny nose (coryza).
- Red or watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots).
- A flat, red measles rash that usually begins on the face or hairline and spreads downward over the body.
How It Spreads
How Measles Spreads
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain in an indoor space for a period after that person leaves, allowing people without immunity to become infected. This efficient spread can lead to a measles outbreak when vaccination coverage is low.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Incubation | Symptoms commonly appear about 10 to 14 days after exposure, although the timing can vary. |
| Contagious period | A person can spread measles from about four days before the rash appears through about four days afterward. |
| After exposure | Contact public health or a healthcare professional promptly because testing, monitoring, or post-exposure guidance may be time-sensitive. |
Reduce spread
Call before seeking in-person care
If you have suspected measles, call ahead and avoid public transportation, crowded settings, and unannounced visits to a healthcare facility. Follow instructions from public-health officials or your healthcare professional.
Risk Factors
Measles Risk Factors
- Having no measles vaccination or an incomplete vaccination series.
- Being a young child, especially an infant who is too young for routine vaccination.
- Having close contact with someone who has measles.
- Traveling to an area where measles is spreading.
- Living in or visiting a community with a measles outbreak or gaps in vaccination coverage.
- Being pregnant.
- Having a weakened immune system.
Vaccination and reducing contact with infected people are modifiable protection factors. Age, pregnancy, and immune status are not usually changeable, but they can increase vulnerability and may require earlier medical advice after an exposure.
Complications
Measles Complications
- Ear infection.
- Diarrhea and dehydration.
- Pneumonia.
- Brain inflammation (encephalitis).
- Pregnancy complications, including risks to the pregnant person or fetus.
- Vision loss.
- Death.
Complications are more likely in infants, young children, pregnant people, people who are malnourished, and those with weakened immune systems. Although many people recover, measles can be deadly in some cases.
Seek urgent care
Signs of a serious complication
Seek emergency medical care for trouble breathing, severe dehydration, unusual sleepiness or confusion, seizures, or rapidly worsening illness.
Diagnosis
How Measles Is Diagnosed
Clinicians consider the rash pattern, fever, respiratory symptoms, vaccination history, possible exposure, recent travel, and local outbreak activity. Because the early symptoms can resemble other infections, the full clinical picture is important.
Laboratory confirmation may use blood or respiratory specimens, such as a throat or nasal swab, depending on local guidance. Suspected cases may need to be reported to public-health authorities so contacts can be identified and further spread can be reduced.
Treatment & Management
Measles Treatment and Management
There is usually no specific routine antiviral cure for measles, so treatment is mainly supportive. Fluids, rest, fever comfort measures, and monitoring for complications can help during recovery, with professional guidance based on the person’s age and health.
- Isolate as directed by a healthcare professional or public-health authority to reduce spread.
- Drink enough fluids, with medical help if vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration makes this difficult.
- Use vitamin A only when directed by a clinician, particularly for eligible children.
- Treat bacterial complications, such as a bacterial ear infection or pneumonia, when a clinician confirms they are present.
- Arrange follow-up and seek further advice if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop.
Treatment safety
Use medicines only as directed
Do not give aspirin to children, and do not use antibiotics, vitamin supplements, or other medicines without medical advice. Suspected measles requires professional guidance because treatment and isolation needs vary.
Prevention
Measles Prevention
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine prevents measles by helping the immune system recognize the virus. Recommended timing and catch-up vaccination depend on age, country, travel plans, and individual circumstances, so ask a healthcare professional for tailored advice.
- Stay up to date with recommended MMR vaccination.
- Check your immunity and vaccination needs before international travel.
- Contact a healthcare professional promptly after a significant measles exposure.
- Stay home and follow public-health instructions when measles is suspected.
Outlook and Prognosis
Measles Outlook and Prognosis
Uncomplicated measles often improves over several weeks, but cough and fatigue may last longer. Recovery varies with age, overall health, immune status, and whether complications develop.
- Very young age can be associated with a less favorable outlook.
- Malnutrition can make recovery more difficult.
- Pregnancy can increase the risk of serious effects and pregnancy complications.
- Immune suppression can reduce the body’s ability to control the infection.
- Pneumonia can cause severe breathing problems and prolonged illness.
- Encephalitis can cause serious brain-related complications.
- Delayed medical care can allow complications to worsen.
When Should You See a Doctor
When Should You See a Doctor for Measles?
- Contact a healthcare professional promptly for a new fever and rash after possible measles exposure.
- Seek medical advice for symptoms in a person who is unvaccinated or has an incomplete vaccination history.
- Contact a clinician promptly if an infant or pregnant person becomes ill.
- Seek advice after suspected exposure if the person has a weakened immune system.
Emergency care
Get immediate help for severe symptoms
Call emergency services for difficulty breathing, blue or gray lips, seizures, severe confusion, inability to stay awake, or signs of severe dehydration.
Branches
2 topics
Measles
Infectious Diseases
Measles
Pediatrics
Symptoms
3 topics
