Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Measles GuideHow Measles Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Measles Guide
Measlesisn’t an illness we see a lot of these days, but it has been making a comeback in recent years. Symptoms and signs, such as fever, dry cough, sensitivity to light, and rash, generally appear more than a week after exposure.
Given the risk of ear infection, pneumonia, and other potential complications, it’s important to know these and other characteristics of measles and seek medical attention if you think you’re affected.
This, obviously, is mostly a concern for those who are not vaccinated. Outbreaks can still occur and the virus can be contracted when traveling to other countries.
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It’s unlikely that you can rely on firsthand knowledge of measles, and there’s a good chance your healthcare provider has neverdiagnosedit. Because of this, studying up on the virus can be particularly helpful.
About 7 to 14 days after exposure to someone with measles, people without immunity to measles can develop measles symptoms, some of which are similar to the flu, including:
Three to five days later, after the fever and other measles symptoms begin, a person with measles will develop the classic measles rash.
Measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after it appears.
Measles Rash
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Although many childhood viral infections are associated with a rash, the measles rash has some characteristics that make it different from those viral rashes. For one thing, unlike many other viral infections, such asroseolaand chickenpox, which typically start on the trunk, the measles rash starts on the face and head.
Other things to watch for regarding the measles rash:
Also, unlike some other viral infections, fever with measles usually continues when the rash develops.
You or your child may appear most ill during the first few days that the rash appears, and may not feel better until a few days later when the fever breaks.
Although some people continue to claim that measles is a mild infection, it can have severe complications. In fact, one or more complications occur in about 30% of cases. Approximately 1 in 4 cases of measles in the U.S. results in hospitalization.
Most people do recover from measles without treatment, but some do have complications that requiretreatment, and unfortunately, a few people who get measles, usually children, die.
People who are at the highest risk for developing complications include:
Common complications that can occur when you have measles include:
More severe complications from measles include:
Measles can cause complications involving your eyes as well, including:
If you think you or your child has been exposed to measles or there’s a rash present that you suspect is measles, call your healthcare provider right away. He or she may need to make special arrangements to see you without running the risk of spreading the disease to other susceptible people. Stay home so you don’t put others at risk, and talk to your practitioner about when you can go back to work or school.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsSymptoms usually begin a week to 14 days after you’re exposed to the virus.The early symptoms are similar to arespiratory infection: fever, cough, runny nose, irritated eyes. You may then develop red spots in your mouth. About four days after the early symptoms start, a rash may appear.Yes. While there is not a serious risk in developed nations, poor control of the disease and malnutrition in some countries makes measles a leading cause of childhood blindness globally. Vision loss may be due to complications from keratitis and corneal scarring oroptic neuritis.Yes. Women who contract measles while pregnant are at risk of complications including stillbirth andmiscarriage.The risk is greatest in the first trimester. Developing babies exposed in utero may suffer long-term birth defects that could include deafness, cataracts, heart defects, intellectual disabilities, and liver damage.
Symptoms usually begin a week to 14 days after you’re exposed to the virus.The early symptoms are similar to arespiratory infection: fever, cough, runny nose, irritated eyes. You may then develop red spots in your mouth. About four days after the early symptoms start, a rash may appear.
Yes. While there is not a serious risk in developed nations, poor control of the disease and malnutrition in some countries makes measles a leading cause of childhood blindness globally. Vision loss may be due to complications from keratitis and corneal scarring oroptic neuritis.
Yes. Women who contract measles while pregnant are at risk of complications including stillbirth andmiscarriage.The risk is greatest in the first trimester. Developing babies exposed in utero may suffer long-term birth defects that could include deafness, cataracts, heart defects, intellectual disabilities, and liver damage.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles.Chovatiya R, Silverberg JI.Inpatient morbidity and mortality of measles in the United States.PLoS One. 2020;15(4):e0231329. Published 2020 Apr 28. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0231329Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles symptoms and complications.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Six ways measles can affect the eyes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Six ways measles can affect the eyes.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Pregnancy and rubella.Additional ReadingWorld Health Organization.Measles.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles.Chovatiya R, Silverberg JI.Inpatient morbidity and mortality of measles in the United States.PLoS One. 2020;15(4):e0231329. Published 2020 Apr 28. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0231329Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles symptoms and complications.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Six ways measles can affect the eyes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Six ways measles can affect the eyes.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Pregnancy and rubella.Additional ReadingWorld Health Organization.Measles.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles.Chovatiya R, Silverberg JI.Inpatient morbidity and mortality of measles in the United States.PLoS One. 2020;15(4):e0231329. Published 2020 Apr 28. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0231329Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles symptoms and complications.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Six ways measles can affect the eyes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Six ways measles can affect the eyes.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Pregnancy and rubella.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles.
Chovatiya R, Silverberg JI.Inpatient morbidity and mortality of measles in the United States.PLoS One. 2020;15(4):e0231329. Published 2020 Apr 28. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0231329
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles symptoms and complications.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Six ways measles can affect the eyes.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Pregnancy and rubella.
World Health Organization.Measles.
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