Learn About Measles
Measles is a very contagious (easily spread) illness caused by a virus.
Rubeola
Measles is spread by contact with droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of an infected person. Sneezing and coughing can put contaminated droplets into the air.
If one person has the measles, 90% of the people who come in contact with that person will get the measles, unless they have been vaccinated.
People who had measles or who have been vaccinated against measles are protected from the disease. As of 2000, measles had been eliminated in the United States. However, unvaccinated people who travel to other countries where measles is common have brought the disease back to the United States. This has led to recent outbreaks of measles in groups of people who are unvaccinated.
Some parents do not let their children get vaccinated. This is because of unfounded fears that the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, can cause autism. Parents and caregivers should know that:
- Large studies of thousands of children have found no connection between this or any vaccine and autism.
- Reviews by all major health organizations in the United States, Great Britain, and elsewhere all found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
- The study that had first reported a risk of autism from this vaccine has been proven to be fraudulent.
Symptoms of measles usually begin 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. This is called the incubation period.
Rash is often the main symptom. The rash:
- Usually appears 3 to 5 days after the first signs of being sick
- May last 4 to 7 days
- Usually starts on the head and spreads to other areas, moving down the body
- May appear as flat, discolored areas (macules) and solid, red, raised areas (papules) that later join together
- Itches
Other symptoms may include:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Cough
- Fever
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
- Muscle pain
- Red and inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
There is no specific treatment for measles.
The following may relieve symptoms:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Bed rest
- Humidified air
Some children may need vitamin A supplements, which reduce the risk of death and complications in children who do not get enough vitamin A.
Peter Aaby practices in Bissau, Guinea. Mr. Aaby is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Measles. His top areas of expertise are Measles, Parainfluenza, Tetanus, and Smallpox.
Natasha Crowcroft practices in Toronto, Canada. Ms. Crowcroft is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Measles. Her top areas of expertise are Measles, Parainfluenza, H1N1 Influenza, and Pertussis.
Michael Muhlebach practices in Langen, Germany. Mr. Muhlebach is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Measles. His top areas of expertise are Measles, Parainfluenza, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Those who do not have complications such as pneumonia do very well.
Complications of measles infection may include:
- Irritation and swelling of the main passages that carry air to the lungs (bronchitis)
- Diarrhea
- Irritation and swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
- Ear infection (otitis media)
- Pneumonia
Contact your provider if you or your child has symptoms of measles.
Getting vaccinated is a very effective way to prevent measles. People who are not immunized, or who have not received the full immunization, are at high risk of catching the disease if they are exposed.
Taking serum immune globulin within 6 days after being exposed to the virus can reduce the risk of developing measles or make the disease less severe.
It is important to know that taking vitamin A will not prevent measles. In fact, taking too much vitamin A can cause serious illnesses, such as liver damage. Most people in the United States get plenty of vitamin A in their diet.
Summary: The measles (MeV) paradox refers to an apparent contradiction: natural measles causes a transient but profound immune suppression putting patients at risk for opportunistic infections for years, while at the same time MeV infection induces robust immune activation leading to lifelong protection against measles. In this protocol, we test our hypothesis that natural measles causes immune amnesia by ...
Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine whether vYF (investigational vaccine) is safe and can help the body to develop antibodies (immunogenicity) compared with Stamaril vaccine and YF-VAX vaccine (both licensed vaccines) and when they are co-administered with Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccines in infants aged 11-15 months. Number of Participants: A total of 2440 participants is planned to be ...
Published Date: July 16, 2024
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 05/07/2025
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Measles (rubeola). www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html. Updated May 29, 2024. Accessed May 6, 2025.
Cherry JD, Lugo D. Measles virus. In: Cherry JD, Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 180.
Gans HA. Measles. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 293.
Maldonado YA, Shetty AK. Rubeola virus: measles and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. In: Long SS, Prober CG, Fischer M, Kimberlin DW, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 227.