Measles Symptoms and Signs

Common Symptoms of the Measles

Symptoms of the Measles being to appear seven to fourteen days after first being exposed to the virus. Common signs and symptoms that a person may experience if they have the measles typically include: * Dry cough * Runny nose * Inflamed red eyes also known as conjunctivitis * Fever * Sensitivity to light * Sore or scratchy feeling in the throat * Koplik spots, which are characterized as small white spots that have a bluish white center and are often, found within the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek area * Erythematous rash, which is characterized as a skin rash that is made up of large, flat blotches that give the appearance as though they are flowing into one another

Infectious Stages of the Measles

The infection that accompanies the measles virus occurs in a sequence of stages over a period that last two to three weeks following the initial exposure to the virus. These stages include:

Infection and incubation.

The first seven to fourteen days following the initial exposure that a person has to the measles virus, the virus incubates. This means that the person generally does not experience any signs or symptoms of the measles during this period of time.

Signs and Symptoms that are not specific.

The first noticeable signs that a person experiences of the measles include a mild to moderate fever that is accompanied by a cough that may be persistent, runny nose, sore or scratchy feeling throat and inflamed red eyes, also known as conjunctivitis. This stage of the virus is commonly mistaken for a cold or the flu and can last for two to three days.

Acute illness and skin rash.

During this stage of the measles virus a person will begin to show signs of a skin rash that consist of tiny red spots. Some of these spots may appear to slightly rise above the surface of the skin. These spots typically appear in areas behind the ears and along the hairline. Within a few days, this skin rash will spread down the arms and trunk of the body. The last areas of the body that will show signs of the skin rash include the thighs, lower legs and feet. During this time, the fever that the person is experiencing will begin to rise sharply, often to as high as 104 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 to 40.6 degrees Celsius. The measles ash slowly begins to recede at this period in the same fashion it appeared.

Communicable Period of the Measles Virus.

The person that has the measles virus is considered to be contagious and can spread the virus to others from the fourth day of the onset of the skin rashes appearance. After the rash has been present for four days, the risk of spreading the virus to others is no longer a threat.

When To Contact a Doctor

If you think that you or your child may have been exposed to the measles virus and begin to display symptoms such as the skin rash, you should contact your family doctor. These medical professionals can let you know if you have been vaccinated for this virus and what medical treatment may be necessary. You should always contact your doctor if you or your child has a fever that is not alleviated with a fever reducer. It is important to note that aspirin should not be given for reducing a fever as this can cause Reyes Syndrome.