This viral infection starts with a mild to moderate fever, a sore throat and the three Cs: cough, coryza (runny nose) and a severe conjunctivitis (inflamed eyes) that makes the person very sensitive to light. 

 

The doctor can confirm diagnosis by identifying the Koplik spots, little bluish-white spots inside the mouth –on the inner side of the cheek. 

 

The disease develops along precise stages over two or three weeks. There are no symptoms during the incubation period – from the moment the person is infected to the first signs of the infection. After a week or two of being exposed to the virus, the first signs of measles appear. The illness becomes acute after three to five days of experiencing flu-like symptoms, and then an erythematous skin rash made of large red and slightly raised spots that coalesce, appears. It first affects the face –behind the ears and along the hairline. In a few hours the rash spreads down the back, the chest and arms and then over the lower extremities. Simultaneous with the rash, the fever peaks, often as high as 105. After five more days, the rash starts fading first from the face and in the same sequence in which it appeared. The person is contagious from the appearance of the rash and for at least five more days after the rash fades.

 

If uncomplicated, measles treatment is limited to rest and drinking plenty of fluids at home. Antipyretics can be used to treat the fever, but aspirin is contraindicated for patients younger than 20 years. Its use has been associated with a potentially fatal condition known as Reye’s syndrome that affects brain and liver.

 

A respiratory virus that belongs to the paramyxirus family causes measles. The infection can be prevented with a vaccine. Thanks to immunization campaigns, the incidence of this disease has notably decreased in developed countries - just an average of 63 cases per year was reported in the United States between the years of 2000 and 2006. However, measles continue to be a significant cause of death among malnourished infants in the Third World where over a million children die every year of this disease. The vaccine is part of the “triple viral” vaccine (Measles-mumps-rubella or MMR) and it’s given at 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years. Side effects from the vaccine are measles-like symptoms or moderate fever.

 

See a doctor if you think you or your child have been exposed to a person with measles or if you present the symptoms described above. At least 30 percent of people with measles experience complications, more frequently children under five years and adults older than 20 years, especially if their immunity is depressed. 

 

Common complications are ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia. In a few cases measles virus can cause encephalitis.