Measles rash infant

Measles (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth

What Is Measles?

Measles is a very contagious respiratory infection. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. Measles is rare in the United States thanks to widespread immunization. But millions of cases happen worldwide every year.

Measles (also called rubeola) is caused by a

virus, so there's no specific medical treatment for it. The virus has to run its course. A child who is sick should drink plenty of liquids, get lots of rest, and stay home from school or daycare to prevent spreading the infection.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Measles?

The first symptoms of a measles infection are usually a hacking cough, runny nose, high fever, and red eyes. Kids also may have Koplik's spots (small red spots with blue-white centers) inside the mouth before the rash starts.

The rash breaks out 3–5 days after symptoms start, sometimes along with a high fever up to 104°F (40°C). The red or reddish-brown rash usually begins as flat red spots on the forehead. It spreads to the rest of the face, then down the neck and torso to the arms, legs, and feet. The fever and rash slowly go away after a few days.

Is Measles Contagious?

Measles is very contagious. In fact, 9 out of 10 people who aren't vaccinated for measles will get it if they are near an infected person.

How Do People Get Measles?

Measles spreads when people breathe in or have direct contact with virus-infected fluid. It can pass through droplets sprayed into the air when someone with measles sneezes or coughs. Someone exposed to the virus usually shows symptoms 7–14 days later.

People with measles can spread the disease from 4 days before the rash starts until about 4 days after that. They're most contagious while they have a fever, runny nose, and cough. Those with weak immune systems due to other conditions (like HIV and AIDS) can spread the measles virus until they recover.

How Is Measles Treated?

There is no specific medical treatment for measles. To help manage symptoms:

• give your child plenty of fluids
• encourage extra rest
• give a non-aspirin fever medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen if a fever makes your child uncomfortable. Never give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness, as such use is linked to Reye syndrome.

Kids with measles should be closely watched by a doctor. In some cases, measles can lead to other problems, such as:

• ear infections
• croup
• diarrhea
• pneumonia
• encephalitis (irritation and swelling of the brain)

Children with measles should be kept away from others for 4 days after their rash appears. For those with a weak immune system, this should continue until they make a full recovery and all symptoms are gone.

How Long Does Measles Last?

A measles infection can last for several weeks. Symptoms usually start 7–14 days after someone is exposed to the virus.

Can Measles Be Prevented?

The best way to protect your kids is to make sure they're immunized against measles.

For most kids, measles protection is part of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) given when they're 12 to 15 months old and again when they're 4 to 6 years old.

The vaccine can be given to babies as young as 6 months old if they will be traveling internationally. Talk to your doctor to see when the vaccine is needed.

Why Is Vaccination Important?

Widespread immunization has made measles rare in the U.S. But outbreaks do still happen. An outbreak is when a disease happens in greater numbers than expected in a particular area. Measles outbreaks have been increasing worldwide, mostly due to people not being vaccinated.

It's important for all kids who can get the vaccine to get it on time. At-risk people (such as those with weak immune systems) can't get the vaccine. But when a lot of other people are immunized against a disease, it protects them, prevents the disease from spreading, and helps prevent outbreaks.

At highest risk during a measles outbreak are:

• infants who aren't old enough to get the vaccine
• pregnant women
• people with poor nutrition or weak immune systems

Doctors can give an injection of measles antibodies (called immune globulin) to at-risk people who are exposed to measles. It's most effective when given within 6 days of contact. These antibodies can either prevent measles or make symptoms less severe.

The measles vaccine also can help protect unvaccinated people from getting sick after exposure to measles if they get it within 3 days.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call the doctor right away if you think that your child has measles. Also call if your child was around someone who has measles, especially if your child:

• is an infant
• is taking medicines that suppress the immune system
• has tuberculosis, cancer, or a disease that affects the immune system

Reviewed by: Michelle P. Tellado, MD

Date reviewed: September 2019

Measles in babies and children

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What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can cause serious complications for anyone who becomes infected. The broad uptake of measles vaccination through the Australian National Immunisation Program means that the disease is now quite rare in Australia.

However, outbreaks still occur, with overseas visitors and returning residents bringing back the virus, so it is important to make sure your child is vaccinated on time.

What are the symptoms of measles?

The most recognised symptom of measles is a characteristic rash, which appears after a few days of general illness with fever. The rash develops with flat discoloured skin and small bumps but is not itchy. It starts on the face or upper neck and then spreads over the body.

Some early signs and symptoms of measles include:

• fever
• conjunctivitis (sore, red eyes)
• symptoms of a cold (runny nose, sneezing, feeling tired and generally unwell)
• cough

A child who is infected might start to show symptoms about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the measles virus. The symptoms can last for up to 14 days.

If your child has measles, they may not want to eat or they may have diarrhoea or swollen lymph nodes.

How does measles spread?

Measles is one of the most contagious of all childhood illnesses. If someone is in the same room as an infected person, this alone may be enough for them to contract the virus, and 9 out of every 10 unvaccinated people who come into contact with the virus will get measles.

A person who has the measles virus will be contagious from about one day before they start to feel unwell or about 4 days before the rash starts. They will need to stay away from all unvaccinated people for at least 4 days after the rash first appeared.

If you child has been near someone with measles, keep them at home until you have spoken with your doctor.

How do I reduce the chance of my child catching measles?

On-time vaccination is the best way to prevent measles. The Australian National Immunisation Program provides free vaccination for all Australian children. Your child should receive 2 doses of measles vaccine from 12 months of age, with at least 4 weeks between doses.

If your child is over 6 months and you are travelling to a country where measles is present, your doctor may be able to give them an extra dose to protect them. This has been shown to be safe.

What if I think my child has measles?

If you think your child may have measles, you should contact your doctor immediately. Do not go to the clinic since you don’t want to infect people in the waiting room. Rather, call your doctor and they will let you know the safest way to see them. Your doctor may be able to diagnose your child’s measles from their symptoms and will confirm with a sample taken from their nose or throat or from a urine test. Sometimes they might need a blood test too.

Measles is considered a notifiable disease and contact tracing is necessary to prevent spread and to protect more vulnerable people, such as those with lower immunity. This group might include people who are being treated for cancer and babies who are too young to have been vaccinated.

If your child has measles, your doctor will notify the public health unit and they may ask to talk with you to try and find where your child caught measles, and to identify anyone your child has been in contact with. This way, they can limit further spread as well as offer advice, treatment and/or vaccination to other people at risk of infection too.

Make sure you let your doctor know if there is anyone in your household who is unwell — for example, someone who is taking medicines such as high-dose steroids or who is receiving chemotherapy.

Other people at particular risk include pregnant women (if they haven’t been vaccinated) and young babies who have not yet been vaccinated, such as infants under 12 months of age.

How do I treat my child with measles?

There is no specific treatment for measles. Your child should rest, drink plenty of fluids and can take paracetamol for their fever and discomfort­ — but be sure to check the dosage instructions on the pack.

You should look out for complications. Ear infections, pneumonia (severe lung infection) and swelling of the brain, which may be life-threatening, may also occur.

Children under the age of 5 are at higher risk of complications, as are adults, particularly those with other chronic illnesses.

Measles can be a very serious illness, with some children needing to go to hospital. If you are concerned in any way, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.

Are you pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
Learn more about how measles during pregnancy can affect you and your baby.

Sources:

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: April 2021

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Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting children against certain diseases. Discover more about childhood vaccinations. .

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Measles

Measles is an acute, highly infectious illness caused by the measles virus. Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It may also cause middle ear infection.

Read more on Queensland Health website