Measles
Measles is caused by the measles virus. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, and sore and reddened eyes followed by a red-brown blotchy rash. The rash usually starts on the face and spreads down the body, and lasts 3 or more days. Most children with measles become quite ill, but recover with no ill effects. Occasionally, however, measles can lead to pneumonia or inflammation of the brain and permanent disability or death. Adults and very young children tend to have more severe illness.
Measles is vaccine preventable. Measles vaccine is administered as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine series to children beginning at 12 to 15 months and again at 4 to 6 years of age or 11 to 12 years of age.
Measles is highly contagious and is spread easily from person to person through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and a susceptible person inhales the organism. These particles may remain suspended in the air, and persons have become infected simply be being in a room after an infected person has left.
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About this information: These definitions were provided by the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes for Health and other government health agencies. This information is for educational purposes only. If you are concerned about your health or your child's health, please consult your family's health care provider immediately. This information is not a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or treatment.
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