Measles is a viral infection that can cause a rash, fever, and cough. It is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person.
People at risk 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 shot
- People who got a vaccine shot that did not work well
- People who travel to countries where the measles vaccine is not common, or those who are around people from these countries
- People who live in places where the vaccine might be easy to get, but many in that area choose not to get the vaccine
- Certain parts of the United States have had an increase in measles cases due to vaccine refusal
What Are Symptoms of Measles?
The initial symptoms of measles include:
- Fever up to 104oF (40oC)
- Feeling sick, as 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:
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Red, watery eyes
- Eyes sensitivity to bright light
- 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
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Chest pain
- Breathing problems
Is There a Measles Vaccine?
Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, which 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, before the child starts school.
Older children and adults who may need the MMR vaccine, include:
- Hospital or health care workers
- Students who don't have written proof of two shots
- People who travel outside the U.S. 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
What Is the Treatment for Measles?
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
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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/measles-the-basics?search=Measles&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
https://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/blog/brief-history-measles