Measles Overview
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 the 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.
MD Anderson
Pavlos Msaouel is an Internal Medicine provider in Houston, Texas. Dr. Msaouel and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Measles. His top areas of expertise are Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine Tumor, Nephrectomy, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.
Tmh Physician Associates PLLC
Cesar Arias is an Infectious Disease specialist and an Anesthesiologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Arias and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Measles. His top areas of expertise are Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Sepsis, Endocarditis, and Pseudomonas Stutzeri Infections.
Baylor College Of Medicine
Jennifer Whitaker is an Infectious Disease provider in Houston, Texas. Dr. Whitaker and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Measles. Her top areas of expertise are Cryptococcosis, HIV/AIDS, Flu, and Measles. Dr. Whitaker is currently accepting new patients.
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.
Summary: The goal of this observational study is to investigate the effects of measles virus (MeV) infection on pre-existing immunity, vaccine response, and susceptibility to subsequent illness in children aged 1-15 either with or without acute MeV infection.
Summary: Provision of SQ-LNS also holds promise in incentivizing vaccination as well as other health services. The investigators will estimate 1) the effectiveness of a SQ-LNS mass supplementation program added to routine immunization program compared to routine immunization program alone in terms of measles vaccine coverage, after 12 months of program implementation, 1) in children aged 12-23 months in th...
Published Date: July 28, 2022
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Measles (rubeola). www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html. Updated May 29, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2024.
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.
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.