Measles is an infection caused by a germ called a virus.
It affects the lungs and breathing.
It first looks like the common cold, but soon after a red, blotchy rash appears on the head, face and neck. The rash then spreads over the entire body.
It usually occurs in the spring and summer.
What causes it?
A germ called a virus causes measles.
Who can get it?
Children usually get measles.
But, anyone can get it.
Those at higher risk are:
Infants under 1 year old
Pre-school children
College students
Refugees
People traveling to other countries
People with poor immunity (due to HIV and AIDS , cancer,etc.)
Any person who has not had two measles shots.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Symptoms usually begin 10 to 12 days after contact with the germ.
keeping the lights low to decrease eye irritation.
giving your child acetaminophen (such as
Tylenol, Tempra, or Panedol) or ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) to decrease the fever. Do not give your child aspirin unless your doctor says to. Taking aspirin can increase your child's risk of getting Reye Syndrome.
Some children may need to take extra vitamin A.
How long does it last?
Most people are sick for about 7 days. You start to feel sick about 3 days before the rash appears, plus the first 4 days you have the rash.
The rash usually starts to go away about 3 days after you start feeling better.
Can it be prevented?
Yes, measles can be prevented.
There is a vaccine against it called the MMR shot. MMR stands for Mumps, Measles and Rubella. The shot protects you from all three infections.
Children get the shot between 12 and 15 months old, and again at 4 to 6 years old.
If you already had the measles, you will not get it again. This is called natural immunity.
A person born after 1957 should have 2 shots.
When should I call the doctor?
Call your doctor if you think your child has measles.
Call your doctor if your child has:
a fever that does not go away after the rash appears
a temperature of 103 degrees F (or 39.4 degrees C) or higher
Call your doctor if you have any questions about your child's condition.
Quick Answers
Measles is an infection caused by a germ called a virus.
It affects the lungs and breathing.
Children are most at risk. But, anyone can get it.
A fever, red and watery eyes, runny nose, and cough are the first symptoms. Then, bluish-white spots appear inside the mouth. Finally, the typical red, blotchy rash starts on the head, face and neck, and spreads to the entire body.
Some people will get other complications like diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia.
There is no specific treatment for measles.
Antibiotics will not work because a virus causes it.
Most people are sick for about 7 days. You start to feel sick about 3 days before the rash appears, plus the first 4 days you have the rash.
The rash usually starts to go away about 3 days after you start feeling better.
There is a vaccine that prevents measles called the MMR (Mumps, Measles, and Rubella).
Call your doctor if you think your child has measles.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FAQs about Measles. 2001, February 15. (cited 2004, March 31). URL: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/measles/faqs.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles - What you need to know.. 2001, February 15. (cited 2004, March 31). URL: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/measles/vac-chart.htm
Dermnet. Measles. 2002, November 30. (cited 2004, March 31). URL: http://www.dermnetnz.org/dna.viral/measles.html
King County (Seattle) Public Health. Communicable Diseases and Epidemiology. Measles fact sheet. 2003, October 27. (cited 2004, March 31). URL: http://www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/measles.htm
McKinley Health Center. Measles (Rubeola) Self-Care Instructions. 2003, January 7. (cited 2004, March 31). URL: http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-info/dis-cond/commdis/meas-sci.html
MedlinePlus. Medical Encyclopedia. Measles. 2004, January 5. (cited 2004, March 31). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001569.htm
Virginia Department of Health. Measles (rubeola). 1999, June. (cited 2004, March 31). URL: http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epi/measlesf.html
"Virtual Pediatric Hospital", the Virtual Pediatric Hospital logo, and "A digital library of pediatric information" are all Trademarks of Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Virtual Pediatric Hospital is funded in whole by Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. Advertising is not accepted.
Your personal information remains confidential and is not sold, leased, or given to any third party be they reliable or not.
The information contained in Virtual Pediatric Hospital is not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.