Measles

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Measles?

• Early symptoms (days 1 to 4):
  • Fever, cough, runny nose, and watery, red eyes
  • Small red spots with whitish-blue centers inside the cheeks
• Later symptoms (day 4 or more):
  • Rash appears
  • Peak fever (104˚Fahrenheit (F), 40˚Celsius (C) or higher)
• Measles rash
  • Starts on the face, behind the ears, and along the hairline. It will spread down the body to the feet within 3 days.
  • First the rash will look flat, then raised spots will appear. As it spreads, the spots will form into clusters. The clusters will flow into each other to form large, red blotches.
  • The rash lasts 3 to 5 days. It slowly fades to a brownish color, starting first from the face and working down the body. The skin may peel.

How Can Measles Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent getting measles is to be fully vaccinated with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR).

• Two shots (doses) are needed to be fully vaccinated:
  • 1st dose right after their first birthday (12 to 15 months old).
  • 2nd dose before entering kindergarten (4 to 6 years old).
• Anyone who isn't protected against measles is at risk of getting it. Nearly all cases of measles in the United States happen in those who are not fully vaccinated.
• If you're traveling out of the country, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends earlier dosing of the MMR vaccine to infants as young as 6 months of age. Talk to your child's doctor or health care provider before traveling.
• Vitamin A does not prevent measles infection. 

How Are Measles Treated?

• Since measles is a virus, antibiotics will not work.
• Give your child plenty of fluids and rest.
• Never give your child products with aspirin in them unless told by a doctor.
• Give fever-reducing medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) or ibuprofen (Motrin^®, Advil^®); check with your doctor or health care provider to make sure it's okay. Follow all package dosing instructions. 
• Symptoms usually go away in about 2 weeks without treatment. Do NOT ignore symptoms that get worse. Tell your child's doctor or health care provider if they're not doing better.
• If your child has a severe case of measles, they may need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment. If they also have a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or an ear infection, they will get antibiotics.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your child’s doctor or health care provider if you think they have measles. Do this before bringing them in or going to the hospital. You don’t want to spread it to others.

It is very important to call your child’s healthcare provider if they have been exposed to measles and:

• Is an infant (younger than 12 months of age).
• Has not had their shots (been immunized).
• Has a weakened immune system due to illness or medicines they take.
• Has symptoms that are common to measles

When to Call 911

Call 911 if you think your child has measles or has:

• Problems breathing
• Breathing very fast
• Turning blue around the mouth
• Appears very ill
• Sucking in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (retractions)

When Your Child May Return to School or Child Care

• Notify your child's school or child care if they have measles. Cases of measles should be reported to the local health department.
• Children infected with measles should stay away from others and not attend school or child care until 5 days after the start of the rash.

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