Measles isn’t just a little rash. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. After a bout of measles, a person gains immunity for the rest of their life. They are very unlikely to contract measles a second time.

Clinical Symptoms (Features) of Measles

Measles infection usually occurs in sequential stages over a period of two to three weeks.

1. Infection and Incubation Period: Measles signs and symptoms usually appear between the first 10 to 14 days after infection, thereby making the virus to incubate. In this period, the baby or young child feels no signs or symptoms during this period.
2. Non – Specific Signs and Symptoms Period: At this stage measles begins with a mild to moderate fever, sore throat, and sometimes followed by at least one of these three Cs:

• Cough
• Coryza (runny nose)
• Conjunctivitis (inflamed eyes)

This mild reaction usually last between two or three days.

3. Acute Illness and Rash Period: The symptoms here usually appear about 9 to 11 days after initial infections and they include the followings:

• Continuous runny nose
• Dry hacking cough
• Conjunctivitis, or swollen eyelids and inflamed eyes
• Watery eyes
• Photophobia, or sensitivity to light
• Sneezing
• A reddish-brown rash
• Koplik's spots, or very small grayish - white spots with bluish - white centers in the mouth, insides of cheeks, and throat
• Generalized body aches

Note: There is often a fever. This can range from mild severe, up to 40.6 degrees Centigrade. It can last several days, and it may fall and then rise again when the rash appears. The reddish - brown rash appears around 3 to 4 days after initial symptoms. This can last for over a week.

The rash usually starts behind the ears and spreads over the head and neck. After a couple of days, it spreads to the rest of the body, including the legs. As the spots grow, they often join together.

4. Communicable Period:A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.

It should be furthered noted that most childhood rashes are not measles, but a parent should be vigilant and take their children to see a doctor if:

1. A parent suspects the child may have measles
2. Symptoms do not improve, or they get worse
3. The fever rises to above 38º Centigrade (ºC) or 100.4º Fahrenheit (ºF)
4. Other symptoms resolve, but the fever persists

Complications

Complications from measles are fairly common; while some are mild, others can be dangerous. Individuals who are more likely to be at risk are patients with weak immune system, patients with HIV/AIDS, leukemia, vitamin deficiency, very young children; and also some adults who are above the age of 20 years.

Complications can include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Eye infection
• Respiratory tract infections, such as laryngitis and bronchitis
• Difficulty breathing
• Ear infections, which can lead to permanent hearing loss
• Febrile seizures

[Next: Treatment and Prevention of Measles]