Measles is a very infectious disease that is caused by a virus and mostly affects children under the age of 5. This disease can be very serious and even fatal for small children. Since the measles vaccination has become more widespread across the planet, the death rates have been falling worldwide. However, the disease is still killing more than 100,000 people annually. In the United States, though, there is only an average of about 60 cases of the measles per year, with most of them originating outside of the country.
The symptoms for this disease include:
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Inflamed eyes
- Tiny white spots found on the inside of the mouth
- Skin rash
However, the signs and symptoms of measles will not start to present themselves until at least 10 days after you have been exposed to the virus. The infection will occur in sequential stages over the period of two to three weeks.
Infection and incubation
This stage is after you have been infected but before you begin to show symptoms. This will last anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks after you have been exposed to the virus.
Nonspecific signs and symptoms
The first symptoms that will appear will not be able to be directly linked to the contraction of the measles virus. This is because symptoms will be relatively mild and could be indicative of other conditions as well. These initial symptoms will include mild fever, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, and sore throat. This will last for two or three days.
Acute illness and rash
The rash associated with measles will appear after you have been experiencing the mild illness for a few days. This rash will consist of small red spots, which might be raised slightly. Your skin will take on a splotchy red appearance because of the clusters of spots and bumps. Typically, the face will be the first area to break out, usually behind the ears and along the hairline. During the next few days, the rash will spread down your arms and abdomen, then to your thighs, lower legs, and feet. As this is happening, your fever will rise significantly, sometimes as high as 105 degrees. As you heal, the rash will gradually disappear in the order that it first appeared—first from the face, then from the legs and feet.
Communicable period
The period of time in which you are contagious to others and therefore able to spread the virus is for about eight days. It starts four days before the rash appears, so generally right before you begin showing mild symptoms. It will end when the rash has been present for about four days.
See your doctor if you or your child begins showing any of the symptoms that might be associated with measles. The earlier the disease is caught and treated, the better chance you will have of curing it. Make sure that you and your family stay up to date on immunizations, especially before elementary school, before college, and before international travel.
