You’ve likely heard of measles before. But you may not know much about its symptoms, how it’s spread or how serious complications can be for some people. You also might not know what to do if you think you or a family member have been exposed to the virus.

Measles cases had been rare in the United States, which is likely due to the vaccine for measles that was developed in the 1960s, drastically reducing the rate of measles cases. In fact, in 2000, measles was declared to be virtually eliminated in the U.S. However, we’ve seen more outbreaks in the last several years – especially among people who are unvaccinated.

So even though measles isn’t very common anymore, it’s important to know what measles is and what causes it, as well as common symptoms, how it’s diagnosed and treatment options.

What is measles and what causes it?

Measles, also known as rubeola, is an extremely contagious infection caused by a virus that infects your body’s respiratory tract, then spreads through your body. It causes symptoms including a rash, usually over your whole body. It’s spread from person to person through the air and can be especially dangerous for children and babies.

Contracting measles is extremely rare, especially if you’ve had the virus or been vaccinated against it, but it’s important to know how it’s spread and how to prevent it to best protect yourself.

Typically, measles is a childhood illness, but anyone can get it. Measles can also cause serious complications and even be life threatening.

How measles spreads

Measles is highly contagious, especially if you’re not vaccinated. The measles virus lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person, and can be spread from person to person by:

  • Coughing, sneezing or talking, which causes infected respiratory droplets to go into the air.
  • Participating in activities where you’re in close contact with an infected person, like sports or dancing.
  • Sharing food and drinks with an infected person.
  • Touching an infected surface, then touching your mouth, eyes or nose, because the measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace or on a surface where the infected person coughed or sneezed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is so contagious that if one person has it, the people around them will almost certainly be infected if they’re not immune to it.

Since measles can be spread for up to four days before a rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears, it’s extremely important to isolate to avoid spreading the infection if you think you’ve been exposed.

Symptoms of measles to look for

Measles symptoms can vary from person to person, and they usually appear 10-14 days after you’ve been exposed to the measles virus, and last for around 7-10 days.

Early symptoms of measles

In most cases, the first symptoms that occur are mild and last 2-3 days. Early symptoms can look cold-and flu-like, and include:

  • Runny nose
  • Dry cough
  • Fever that may spike to 104°F (40°C)
  • Eye infection (conjunctivitis) can also occur early in the illness

Koplik’s spots: A later symptom of measles

Around 2-3 days after the first symptoms appear, Koplik’s spots may develop. These are small white spots with bluish-white centers, typically on a red background, which are found in the inside of the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek.

Typically, Koplik’s spots last for about 1-2 days. They often go away on their own before a measles rash develops, and almost always go away before a rash disappears.

The most common sign of measles is a large, red, flat rash that usually occurs around 3-5 days after symptoms begin. Typically, the rash appears at the hairline first, then spreads down to the neck, midsection (stomach), arms, legs and feet. Although the rash is usually flat, small raised bumps may appear on top of it.

How measles is diagnosed

If you think you or your child has measles, it’s important to contact your doctor to get an official diagnosis. Since measles is highly contagious, try to avoid walking into a clinic without advanced warning. Instead, give the clinic a heads up that you and your child are coming. It will give the clinic a chance to prepare an isolated room for you, and bring you there as soon as you arrive.

Measles is usually diagnosed based on the appearance of Koplik’s spots or rash, and your exposure to the virus. Your doctor may also ask about recent travel outside of the U.S. and whether you have received the measles vaccine.

Since measles is less common in the U.S., your doctor may not know what it looks like. But if you know you’ve been exposed to it, your doctor can order a cheek swab, throat swab, blood test or urine sample that’s then tested to confirm if you have measles or not.

How serious is measles? Know the possible complications from measles in children and adults.

Measles can affect people in all age groups, but there are certain people who are more at risk for complications that range from mild to severe. This includes:

  • Children younger than 5 years old
  • Adults who are 20 years old and older
  • Pregnant women
  • People with compromised immune systems

Mild complications due to measles

Common complications can include:

Serious complications due to measles

Serious complications aren’t typical of measles, but they can occur and have the potential to be life threatening. These include:

  • Pneumonia, which can cause difficulty breathing, a cough, fever and other symptoms. Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in children who get measles.
  • Encephalitis, where you might develop a high fever, headache, sensitivity to light and other symptoms. Encephalitis is swelling in the brain that can cause seizures, deafness, disability and even death.
  • Pregnancy complications, like premature birth and low birth weight.

Home treatment options for measles

There isn’t a specific treatment option, like antibiotics, for measles. Measles usually gets better with getting plenty of rest and fluids at home, and with over-the-counter medicines to reduce your fever when needed.

Speak with your doctor to see what treatment they recommend, but home treatment options include:

  • Getting plenty of rest to help your body heal
  • Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers
  • Drinking plenty of fluids to help reduce a fever and prevent dehydration
  • Using saline nose spray or a humidifier to soothe a cough or runny nose

If you develop conjunctivitis or an ear infection, reach out to your doctor for treatment options.

But if you or your child has a severe case of the measles, or are experiencing serious complications such as pneumonia-like symptoms (a severe chest cough) or encephalitis (headache, neck stiffness or sensitivity to light), contact your doctor immediately, as they may recommend hospitalization. But in most cases, if you have measles, it just has to run its course.

Getting vaccinated helps prevent the spread of measles

According to the CDC, there is a more than 99% reduction of measles cases in the U.S. because of the vaccine.

The measles vaccine is safe and effective, and it’s extremely important to get vaccinated and follow the recommended vaccination schedule for your child, in order to stay healthy. The measles vaccine is part of two different vaccines:

  • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) – This vaccine can be given to adults and children.
  • MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella [chicken pox]) – This combined vaccine is typically given to children 4 years old and older. Before the age of 4, kids receive an MMR dose and a varicella dose separately.

If you’ve had measles before, you’re considered to have life-long immunity, meaning you won’t ever get them again. If you’ve never had measles but have been fully vaccinated against them, you can still get measles, but it’s less likely.

Take precautions when it comes to measles

Since measles is very contagious, it’s important to understand how it’s spread, what the signs and symptoms are, and to get vaccinated against it to best protect yourself. If you think you or your child has been exposed to measles or you’re experiencing symptoms, make an appointment with one of our primary care doctors who can help you determine if you should get tested, and what your next steps should be. If your infection turns out to be rarer or more complex, we’ll connect you with one of our infectious disease specialists for additional, expert care.