Where Did the Measles Come From?

The initial symptoms of measles include:

• Fever up to 104oF (40oC)
• Feeling sick, like with a cold
• Loss of appetite
• Spots in the mouth that may look like grains of salt

After the early symptoms of measles, other symptoms may include:

• Red, watery eyes
• Eyes sensitivity to bright light
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body
  • The spots in the rash can form red patches 
  • People usually start feeling better about 2 days after the rash starts
  • After 3 or 4 days, the rash begins to turn brown and go away
  • Skin may peel or flake off, like after a sunburn
  • Cough may linger for 1 or 2 weeks after the rash goes away
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Breathing problems

Measles is caused by the measles virus. It is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person. 

Risk factors for contracting measles include:

• Children too young to get a measles vaccine 
• People who never had a measles vaccine
• People who did not get a second measles vaccine
• People who got a vaccine shot that did not work well
• Travel to countries where the measles vaccine is not common, or being around people from these countries
• Places where the vaccine might be easy to get, but a lot of people choose not to get the vaccine
  • Certain parts of the United States have had an increase in measles cases due to vaccine refusal

• Measles is usually diagnosed with a patient history and physical examination. 
• Blood tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis but may not be needed. 

There is no specific treatment for measles. Home remedies to relieve symptoms include: 

• Rest
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Pain relievers and fever-reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever and aches 
  • Do not give aspirin to children younger than 18 due to the risk of a serious problem called Reye syndrome
• Antibiotics to treat ear or eye infections or pneumonia that can develop 
• Vitamin A
  • A doctor may give vitamin A to a child who has measles if the child needs to be treated in the hospital, or has another health condition besides measles

Complications of measles include: 

• Blindness
• Brain swelling (encephalitis)
• Respiratory infections such as pneumonia
• Death, in rare cases

People with a higher risk of serious problems and complications from measles include:

• Those with a weakened immune system from conditions such as HIV/AIDS, leukemia, or other cancer
• Pregnant women
• People who are malnourished
• Babies
• The elderly 

Measles can be prevented with a vaccine called the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine, given as a shot, are needed to protect against measles.

All children should get the first MMR vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old and a second shot when they are 4 to 6 years old. The second shot should be given before the child starts school. 

Some older children and adults may need the MMR vaccine, such as:

• Hospital or health care workers
• Students who don't have written proof of two shots
• People traveling outside the United States who don't have written proof of one shot
• People who got a measles shot before 1968
  • In the past, some of the measles vaccines did not work well