Measles: Basic Information

Signs & Symptoms

• High fever (first sign of infection)
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes
• Small white spots on the inside of the cheeks
• Rash, typically on the face and upper neck (develops after several days)

This rash will spread to the rest of the body over the next three days after it
initially develops; however, it will begin to fade after five or six days.

Transmission

Measles is very contagious because it spreads through close personal contact, direct contact with infected nasal secretions, and coughing/sneezing.  An infected person is contagious for four days before their symptoms begin, and the virus can survive for up to two hours outside the body.

Complications

This disease is typically an unpleasant mild or moderately severe illness; however, cases of severe Measles can occur, and they are typically seen in poorly nourished, young children.  The Measles infection does not typically case death; however, it can result in complications that cause death within children under the age of five or adults over the age of 20.  These complications include blindness, encephalitis (a dangerous infection of the brain which causes inflammation), severe diarrhea, ear infections, and severe respiratory infections which can lead to death.

People at Risk

• Un-immunized young children (at the highest risk)
• Individuals living in countries experiencing or recovering from war
• Residents of countries where there is civil strife
• People who have been exposed to a natural disaster

Treatment

The Measles is mainly treated with good nutrition and fluids.  Dehydration often occurs and can cause diarrhea; therefore, rehydration with oral fluids is important. Also, antibiotics can be used to treat eye infections and pneumonia.  In developing countries, two doses of Vitamin A, 24 hours apart, are provided to infected children because it helps decrease the risk of blindness as well as the chance of death by 50%.

For more information on Measles and what is being done, please visit the Measles Initiative page.

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