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Measles

Published by Bupa's health information team, January 2010.

This factsheet is for people who have measles, or who would like information about it.

Measles is a mild to moderately severe illness caused by a virus. Measles is a different condition to German measles (rubella), which is caused by a different virus - the rubella virus.

Measles is now less common because of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

• About measles
• Symptoms of measles
• Complications of measles
• Causes of measles
• Diagnosis of measles
• Treatment of measles
• Prevention of measles
• Questions and answers
• Related topics
• Further information
• Sources

About measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness. This means that the measles virus can easily be passed from one person to another if breathed in. If one person has measles, nine out of 10 people who aren't immunised and come into close contact with that person will catch it.

Once you have had measles you won't get it again.

Symptoms of measles

The early signs of measles usually show around 10 days after you become infected with the virus, although it can take as long as 21 days for the infection to appear in some people. Symptoms last for about two to four days and may include:

• a fever
• an eye infection with discharge (conjunctivitis)
• a runny nose
• a cough
• small white spots inside your cheeks

A red rash will usually appear a few days after the first symptoms of measles. The rash generally spreads from your face and neck to the rest of your body and lasts for about a week, before fading.

The Health Protection Agency advises that children with measles stay away from school or nursery for at least five days after the rash appears to stop them passing the infection on to other children.

Complications of measles

Complications of measles, including ear infections, pneumonia and diarrhoea, are common. More serious complications include inflammation of your:

• lungs
• sinuses
• heart wall
• bowel
• liver

You may also have ulcers in your eye and bleeding.

Rare, but potentially fatal complications include the following.

• Encephalitis (inflammation of your brain). Symptoms of encephalitis are similar to meningitis and include drowsiness, headaches, fits, confusion and a dislike of light.
• Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) - a complication that affects your brain and can occur months or even years after the initial measles infection. Symptoms of SSPE include muscle spasms, mental problems and strange behaviour.

Complications occur more often in children under five and adults over 20. People who have a weakened immune system are also more at risk, for example those with HIV/AIDS or illnesses such as leukaemia.

The number of otherwise healthy people who die from the complications of measles in developed countries is relatively low. However, in developing countries up to one in four people with measles die from the complications, particularly if they aren't getting enough nutrients to support their immune system. One million children die from measles worldwide each year.

If you're pregnant and become infected with measles, the virus can result in miscarriage, premature birth of your baby or low birth weight when he or she is born.

Causes of measles

Measles is caused by a paramyxovirus. The virus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Droplets of infected mucus or saliva in the air are breathed in by other people. The measles virus then grows in cells in the back of your throat and your lungs.

You can also get measles if you're in close or direct contact with the nose or mouth of someone with the virus. You're most likely to catch measles from someone who is in the early stages of infection until four days after their rash has appeared.

The measles virus can survive on surfaces for up to two hours and be passed on when you touch a surface and then touch your mouth or nose.

Diagnosis of measles

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine you.

Measles is a notifiable disease. This means that if your GP suspects you have measles, by law he or she has to report it to the local authority. This is so there are accurate records of how many people in the UK are getting measles each year.

Treatment of measles

There is no specific treatment for measles. Taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol will help to ease your symptoms. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and, if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice. It's also important to drink enough fluids to stop you becoming dehydrated.

Your GP may prescribe antibiotics if you have any complications, such as pneumonia.

Prevention of measles

Measles can be prevented with a highly effective vaccine called the MMR vaccine. This is a combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella. The vaccine is given in two doses to children at around 12 to 15 months and again at three to five years. Children between 13 and 18 months should be given the doses at least three months apart.

Older children and adults can also have the vaccine in two doses. Adults and children over 18 months can be given the two doses as close together as one month apart, but preferably three months apart.

Related topics

• Childhood immunisation
• Conjunctivitis
• Fever in children
• Meningitis and septicaemia in adults
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
• Middle ear infection in children
• Mumps
• Rubella (German measles)

Further information

Health Protection Agency
www.hpa.org.uk

Sources

• Measles. World Health Organization. www.who.int, accessed 10 August 2009
• Measles disease in-short. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov, accessed 10 August 2009
• Background information on measles. Health Protection Agency. www.hpa.org.uk, accessed 10 August 2009
• Measles: factsheet for schools. Health Protection Agency. www.hpa.org.uk, accessed 10 August 2009
• Measles big facts. NHS Immunisation Information. www.immunisation.nhs.uk, accessed 10 August 2009
• Measles. Society for General Microbiology. www.sgm.ac.uk, accessed 10 August 2009
• Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. UCL Institute of Child Health. www.ich.ucl.ac.uk, accessed 10 August 2009
• What is MMR? NHS Immunisation Information. www.immunisation.nhs.uk, accessed 10 August 2009

This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: January 2010