Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus. This high contagious viral infection is easily preventable by being vaccinated.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected. Initial symptoms can include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
Several days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. Three to five days after symptoms begin, you may have a rash break out. It can spread from your face and down to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
Transmission
The virus can live in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Droplets of the virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. If another person breathes the contaminated air or touches the contaminated surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouth, can become infected. Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.
Prevention
Measles can be prevented with the MRR vaccine. It is considered to be the best preventive measure to becoming infected. Other preventive measures include:
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue/upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze
- Discard used tissues
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available
If you suspect you are experiencing signs & symptoms of measles, please seek medical care immediately.
