Measles is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus. It can affect anyone but is most common in children.
Some risk factors for measles include:
- Being unvaccinated
- Traveling internationally
- Having a vitamin A deficiency
Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Signs and symptoms of measles appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, they include:
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Inflamed eyes
- Koplik’s spots (tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background, which form on the inner lining of the cheek)
- A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another
The infection occurs in stages that span over two to three weeks. These stages include:
- Infection and incubation- the measles virus spreads in the body for 10 to 14 days after infection. During that time, there are no signs or symptoms.
- Nonspecific signs and symptoms- measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, a persistent cough, a runny nose, inflamed eyes, and a sore throat. This mild illness can last two to three days.
- Acute illness and rash- a rash consisting of small red spots, some may be slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face is usually the first place it appears. The rash spreads down the arms, chest, and back, then over the thighs, lower legs, and feet over the next few days. At the same time, the fever rises to temperatures as high as 104 to 105.8.
- Recovery- the measles rash can last for about seven days. The rash fades gradually from the face and lastly the thighs and feet. As other symptoms go away, coughing and the darkening or peeling of the skin where the rash was, lasts about 10 days.
A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days. Starting four days before the rash appears and ends when the rash has been present for four days.
When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, infectious droplets spray into the air where others can breathe them in. Infectious droplets can stay in the air for about an hour and on a surface for several hours.
Many complications can arise from measles, including:
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Ear infection
- Bronchitis, laryngitis, or croup
- Pneumonia
- Encephalitis
- Pregnancy problems
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adults receive the measles vaccine to prevent infection.
Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose measles based on the disease’s characteristic rash and the Koplik’s spot on the inner lining of the cheek. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you or your child received measles vaccines, whether you traveled outside of the U.S. recently, and if you had contact with anyone who has a rash or fever.
The rash can be confused with many other illnesses, however, a blood test can be done to confirm whether the rash is measles. A test using a throat swab or urine sample can also be used.
There is no specific treatment for a measles infection once it occurs. Treatment can include providing comfort measures to relieve symptoms such as rest and treating or preventing complications.
Some measures can be taken to protect individuals who don’t have immunity to measles after they have been exposed to the virus, they include:
- Post-exposure vaccination
- Immune serum globulin
- Medications
- Fever reducers
- Antibiotics
- Vitamin A
If you become sick with severe symptoms, particularly after potential exposure to the measles virus, you must receive treatment from a doctor as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
