What are the signs and symptoms of measles (formerly known as rubeola)?

From the Guidelines

Measles is characterized by a prodrome of cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis with fever followed by a maculopapular or morbilliform rash that begins on the face and spreads downward to the trunk and out to the extremities, with Koplik spots appearing during the prodrome, as described in the most recent study 1. The signs and symptoms of measles can be broken down into several key components:

• A prodrome of cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis with fever, which is the initial stage of the illness
• A maculopapular or morbilliform rash that begins on the face and spreads downward to the trunk and out to the extremities
• Koplik spots, which are considered pathognomonic, appearing during the prodrome
• Patients are contagious 4 days before the rash to 4 days after the rash appears, as noted in 1 and 1 Other symptoms may include:
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Fever often spikes to 104°F (40°C) or higher when the rash appears It's essential to note that measles is highly contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and can remain airborne for up to two hours, as mentioned in 1. Complications can include:
• Ear infections
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia
• Encephalitis
• In rare cases, death Vaccination with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is the most effective prevention method, providing long-lasting immunity, as stated in 1 and 1.

From the Research

Signs and Symptoms of Measles

The signs and symptoms of measles include:

• Fever, which is often the first symptom to appear 2, 3, 4, 5
• Cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis, which are common respiratory symptoms 2, 3, 4, 5
• Koplik's spots, which may appear on the buccal mucosa before the onset of rash 2
• Maculopapular rash, which typically appears 3-4 days after the onset of fever and starts on the face and behind the ears 2, 3
• Otitis media, laryngotracheobronchitis, pneumonia, stomatitis, and diarrhea, which are potential complications of measles 3
• Neurological complications, such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, measles inclusion body encephalitis, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which are rare but serious 3

Ophthalmological Symptoms

Measles can also cause ophthalmological symptoms, including:

• Conjunctivitis, which is a common symptom of measles 4, 5
• Keratitis, which can occur as a complication of conjunctivitis 4
• Bacterial superinfection, which can occur in conjunction with viral conjunctivitis 4
• Posterior segment involvement, which can occur if the infection presents in childhood 4