Symptoms
The symptoms of measles typically appear about 7-14 days after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms of measles include:
- Rash: The most characteristic symptom of measles is a red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash usually appears about 14 days after infection and lasts for about 5-6 days.
- Fever: Measles is often accompanied by a high fever, which may be accompanied by headache, muscle pain, and fatigue.
- Cough: Measles is a respiratory illness, so a cough is a common symptom. The cough may be accompanied by runny nose and red, watery eyes.
- Other symptoms: Other common symptoms of measles include swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite.
Causes
Measles is caused by the measles virus, which is spread through respiratory secretions,such as saliva, mucus, and feces, from an infected person. The virus is spread through close contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Children are more prone to measles because their immune systems are still developing and they are more likely to be exposed to the virus in settings such as schools and daycare centers.