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A measles rash is one of the most recognizable symptoms of measles, a highly contagious viral infection. Measles usually causes high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes before the rash appears. The measles rash typically starts on the face and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms and legs.
Measles symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, with the rash appearing several days after the first symptoms. Measles can cause serious complications, especially in babies and young children.
The best way to protect your child from measles is vaccination. If your child may have been exposed to measles or has symptoms that could be measles, call your child’s healthcare provider before going to a medical office, urgent care center or emergency department. Calling ahead allows the care team to prepare and helps protect other patients and families.
Measles, also called rubeola, is a viral infection that spreads easily from person to person through the air. It is one of the most contagious infectious diseases.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning the virus was no longer continuously spreading within the country. Cases and outbreaks can still occur when the virus is brought into communities where people are not protected by vaccination.
Most people recover from measles, but the infection can cause serious complications, particularly in young children and people with weakened immune systems.
Measles symptoms typically develop in stages.
The first symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after exposure and may include:
Two to three days after the first symptoms begin, some children develop tiny white spots called Koplik spots inside the mouth.
Koplik spots can appear on the inside of the cheeks and may be an early sign of measles.
The measles rash usually appears several days after the first symptoms.
A typical measles rash:
The rash generally appears after the initial fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes have begun.
If your child develops a rash and may have been exposed to measles, call your child’s healthcare provider before bringing your child to a medical office or other healthcare setting.
A measles rash usually consists of flat red spots that begin on the face or hairline and spread down the body. As the rash spreads, individual spots may merge, creating larger areas of redness.
The rash typically progresses from the face downward to the neck, trunk, arms and legs. A high fever often continues when the rash appears.
A rash alone does not confirm measles. Other viral infections and illnesses, and even allergic reactions, can cause similar-looking rashes. If your child has a rash along with fever, cough, runny nose or red, watery eyes — particularly after a possible measles exposure — contact your child’s healthcare provider.
The measles rash usually appears several days after the first symptoms of measles begin.
A child may first develop fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after those symptoms begin. The measles rash typically follows, beginning on the face and spreading downward.
Because measles can spread before the rash appears, a child can be contagious before parents realize that the illness may be measles.
Measles symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, although the timing can vary.
Because someone with measles can spread the virus for four days before the rash appears, a child who has been exposed should be monitored for symptoms and discussed with a healthcare provider promptly.
Call before bringing your child to a healthcare facility. Measles is extremely contagious, and calling ahead allows the care team to take precautions to protect other patients and staff.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks.
An infectious virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area. Up to 9 out of 10 people who are not immune can become infected after close exposure to someone with measles.
A person with measles generally can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash begins.
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear before contacting your child’s healthcare provider.
If your child may have been exposed at school, childcare, during travel or in the community, contact a healthcare provider promptly. Some options for preventing measles after exposure are time sensitive.
Your child’s provider may consider:
For children ages 2 and older, Norton Children’s eCare can be a convenient first step for nonurgent concerns. A Norton Children’s provider can discuss your child’s symptoms, vaccination history and possible exposure, and help determine the appropriate next step.
Norton Children’s eCare is available through Norton MyChart for children ages 2 and older in Kentucky and Indiana.
If your child needs an in-person evaluation, the provider can help direct you to the appropriate care.
If your child may have measles or has been exposed and needs to be evaluated in person, call first. Do not arrive unannounced at a pediatrician’s office, immediate care center or emergency department.
Calling ahead gives the care team time to prepare appropriate precautions and helps protect other patients and families in the waiting area, including infants, pregnant people and children with weakened immune systems.
A healthcare provider considers your child’s symptoms, vaccination history and possible exposure when evaluating suspected measles.
If measles is suspected, additional testing may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Because measles is highly contagious, call ahead before bringing your child to a healthcare facility so the care team can prepare appropriate precautions.
Measles can cause serious complications, particularly in young children.
Complications can include:
Children younger than age 5 are more likely to develop severe or complicated measles infections. Measles also can weaken the immune system after the infection, leaving children more vulnerable to other infections.
Anyone who is not protected against measles can become infected. The risk of serious complications is higher for:
In addition to the risk of spreading the virus to children, adults age 20 and older have an increased risk of hospitalization, severe respiratory issues and neurological complications from measles.
Vaccination helps protect people who are too young to be vaccinated and others who may be at higher risk for complications.
The best protection against measles is vaccination.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is routinely given in two doses:
Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
The second dose can be given as soon as 28 days after the first dose when earlier protection is appropriate.
Talk with your child’s pediatrician about the appropriate vaccination schedule, particularly during a measles outbreak or before international travel or travel to an area where measles is spreading.
If your child is a Norton Children’s patient, you can use Norton MyChart proxy access to check your child’s immunization record, including MMR vaccinations. Norton MyChart provides parents and guardians with access to portions of their child’s medical record, including immunizations.
If your child’s record shows only one MMR dose or you aren’t sure whether your child has been vaccinated, contact your child’s pediatrician. Don’t guess about your child’s vaccination status.
Your pediatrician can review your child’s record and recommend an appropriate vaccination plan.
You also may be able to obtain vaccination records through your state’s immunization registry.
Yes, but vaccination provides strong protection.
Two doses of measles-containing vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. Although breakthrough infections can occur, vaccinated people are much less likely to develop measles than people who are not vaccinated.
If your vaccinated child develops symptoms after a possible exposure, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
Possibly.
Although the routine second dose is given at 4 to 6 years of age, it can be given as soon as 28 days after the first dose when earlier protection is appropriate.
Your child’s pediatrician can help determine whether an early second dose is recommended based on your child’s age, vaccination history, travel plans and measles activity in your community.
Babies younger than 12 months generally are too young for the routine MMR vaccination schedule.
In certain circumstances, however, infants as young as 6 months may receive an early MMR dose, including before international travel or travel to an area with ongoing measles transmission.
An early dose does not replace the two routine doses given after the first birthday.
Talk with your child’s pediatrician before travel or if your baby may have been exposed to measles.
Measles continues to occur in countries around the world, so families traveling internationally should make sure children are appropriately vaccinated before leaving.
Talk with your child’s pediatrician well before international travel. Children age 12 months and older who are traveling internationally should have two documented MMR doses, spaced at least 28 days apart.
Infants as young as 6 months are recommended to receive an early dose before international travel.
Your pediatrician can help determine what your child needs based on age, vaccination history and destination.
Measles can cause serious complications during pregnancy, including preterm birth or stillbirth.
If you are pregnant and may have been exposed to measles, contact your healthcare provider promptly for guidance. Call before going to a medical office or emergency department so the care team can take appropriate precautions.
There is no specific medicine that cures measles. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, maintaining hydration and monitoring for complications.
Your child’s healthcare provider may recommend:
If complications develop, additional treatment may be needed.
Most children with measles can be monitored at home with guidance from their healthcare provider. Seek emergency medical care for serious symptoms such as:
If you suspect measles and your child needs emergency care, call ahead when possible so the hospital or urgent care center, such as Norton Prompt Care or Norton Immediate Care Center, can prepare for a patient with suspected measles.
Call 911 if you feel your child has a life-threatening emergency.
If your child has measles or has been exposed to measles, talk with your child’s pediatrician and local health department about when it is safe to return to school or childcare.
A child with measles generally is considered contagious from about four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash begins.
Children who have been exposed but are not fully vaccinated may need to stay home during a monitoring period. The appropriate timeline can depend on vaccination status and the details of the exposure.
Follow guidance from your child’s healthcare provider, local health department, school or childcare provider.
When your child may have measles, access to pediatric expertise and appropriate care matters. Norton Children’s provides specialized care for pediatric infectious diseases.
Norton Children’s eCare provides virtual urgent care for children ages 2 and older with nonurgent illnesses and concerns. Families in Kentucky and Indiana can connect with a Norton Children’s provider through a secure video visit.
For a possible measles exposure, virtual care may provide a convenient way to discuss your child’s situation before deciding whether an in-person evaluation is needed.
Norton MyChart allows parents and guardians with proxy access to review their child’s immunizations and other health information.
Checking your child’s MMR record can help you and your child’s healthcare provider determine whether your child is protected and what steps may be appropriate after a possible exposure.
The first symptoms usually include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Tiny white Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. A measles rash typically follows several days later.
A measles rash typically starts on the face or hairline and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms and legs. The rash consists of flat red spots that may join as they spread. A high fever often occurs when the rash appears.
The measles rash typically appears several days after the first symptoms, such as fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The rash usually begins on the face and spreads downward.
Measles symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after infection. The timing can vary, so children who have been exposed should be monitored and discussed with a healthcare provider.
Measles is extremely contagious. Up to 9 out of 10 people who are not immune can become infected after close exposure. The virus can remain in an airspace for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.
Contact your child’s healthcare provider promptly, even if your child has no symptoms. Some preventive options after exposure are time sensitive. For children age 2 and older, Norton Children’s eCare may be a convenient first step.
Yes. Call before bringing your child to a pediatrician’s office, immediate care center or emergency department. This allows the care team to prepare appropriate precautions and helps protect other patients.
Yes, although two doses of measles-containing vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. If your child develops symptoms after a possible exposure, contact your healthcare provider.
In certain circumstances, infants as young as 6 months may receive an early MMR dose, such as before certain international travel or travel to an area with ongoing measles transmission. Talk with your child’s pediatrician.
If your child is a Norton patient, you can use Norton MyChart proxy access to review their immunization history. If you’re unsure whether your child is protected, contact their pediatrician rather than guessing.