From the Guidelines
Measles (Rubeola) is characterized by a distinct set of symptoms, including cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, fever, and a maculopapular or morbilliform rash that typically starts on the face and spreads to the trunk and extremities.
Common Symptoms
- Prodrome: cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis with fever
- Rash: maculopapular or morbilliform, begins on the face and spreads downward to the trunk and out to the extremities
- Koplik spots: pathognomonic, appear during the prodrome
Complications
- Diarrhea
- Middle ear infection
- Bronchopneumonia
- Encephalitis: occurs in approximately one of every 1,000 reported cases, with permanent brain damage and mental retardation in survivors 1
- Pneumonia and acute encephalitis are the most common causes of death
Transmission and Contagious Period
- Contagious period: 4 days before the rash to 4 days after the rash appears 1
- Transmission: respiratory droplets and airborne spread 1
From the Research
Symptoms of Measles (Rubeola)
The symptoms of measles include:
- Fever
- Maculopapular rash
- At least one of the following:
- Cough
- Coryza
- Conjunctivitis As noted in the study 2, vaccinated individuals can have milder or even no symptoms.
Complications of Measles
Measles can lead to various complications, including:
- Otitis media
- Laryngotracheobronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Stomatitis
- Diarrhea
- Neurological complications, such as:
Clinical Presentation
Measles is a highly contagious acute febrile viral illness, classically presenting with a rash, fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis, as described in studies 6, 4. The disease mainly affects young children, with a mortality peak in the first three years of life 3.