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What is measles?

Measles, also called rubeola, is a very contagious viral illness that causes a distinct rash, fever, and cough. It is so highly contagious that approximately 90 percent of people exposed to measles who are not immune to the virus will develop a measles infection.

Measles is rare in the United States, thanks to immunization. Recently, however, there have been more outbreaks. Outbreaks tend to occur in areas where measles immunization rates are low, so when an unimmunized person travels to a region with an outbreak, they can introduce measles to their community upon their return home.

Common complications of measles infection include ear infections and diarrhea. The most serious complications from measles can include:

Pregnant women who develop measles are at higher risk of miscarriage and premature birth.

Symptoms & Causes

What are the symptoms of measles?

While measles symptoms may vary from child to child, they typically include:

  • Fever
  • Body aches
  • Decreased appetite
  • Spots on the inside of the cheek
  • Redness and irritation of the eyes
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat

Several days after symtpoms begin, a red, spotty rash starts on the face and spreads to the trunk (middle part of body), arms and legs.

It may take between one to three weeks for your child to develop symptoms of measles after being exposed. It's important to know that your child is contagious about five days before the rash, and about four days after the rash appears.

What causes measles?

Measles is caused by morbillivirus, which is mostly seen in the winter and spring. It's spread by direct person-to-person contact with respiratory secretions (saliva) or by airborne transmission.

Droplets from an infected individual can remain in the air for up to two hours, so outbreaks can occur in areas of crowding.

Diagnosis & Treatments

How is measles diagnosed?

Measles is usually diagnosed based on a complete medical history and physical exam of your child. The rash measles causes is unique, and usually allows for an accurate diagnosis.

In addition, your child's doctor may order tests from blood, respiratory swabs, or urine to confirm the diagnosis.

How is measles usually treated?

The goal of treatment for measles is to help prevent spread of the infection to others and to support the comfort and hydration of an infected child.

There are no medications that specifically treat mild measles infection. Traditional treatments for measles include:

  • Rest
  • Increased fluid intake
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for fever (do not give aspirin!)

If your child was exposed to measles and has not been immunized, your child's doctor may give him the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine within 72 hours to help prevent the disease from emerging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Outbreaks of measles have begun to emerge more frequently. These outbreaks are believed to stem from unimmunized people traveling to or from countries with high rates of measles, and then spreading the infection to unimmunized people in the U.S.

Thanks to the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, introduced in 1963, cases have been relatively rare in the U.S.

Measles is one of the most infectious pathogens that infects humans. Up to 90 percent of people exposed to measles will develop measles infection if they are not immune.

There is no treatment that can get rid of the measles virus, but there are treatments to make patients more comfortable and help support them through the illness.

Immunize. The measles vaccine is safe and effective. Completion of a two-dose measles vaccine series is 97 percent effective at preventing measles infection.

To prevent not just measles but lots of other infections, it’s always a good idea to wash your (and your child's) hands often. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use it regularly.

The vaccine is usually given when your child is 12 to 15 months old, and then again when they are between 4 and 6 years old. Two doses are recommended for people 12 months and older, at least 28 days apart.

Infants between 6 and 12 months traveling to areas of the world with lots of measles can be given a dose before they travel — parents should check with their doctor.

Adults should be sure they are fully immunized; anyone with any questions about their immunizations or their child’s immunizations should check with their doctor.

If your child is 6 to 12 months old and has possibly been exposed to measles, or is living in a region with an outbreak, a measles vaccine may be recommended.

Because measles is highly contagious, you should call your health care provider for advice before you head to the office or emergency room.

If you do go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, immediately let the staff know that you are worried about measles so that they can put precautions into place.

Visit the HealthyChildren website to learn more about measles and what parents should know about the disease.

Research & Clinical Trials

The Boston Children's HealthMap team has introduced a mobile phone app, “Outbreaks Near Me,” which provides location-based alerts for disease outbreaks (including measles outbreaks) using the GPS of a user’s iPhone.