Measles - How to protect your child

Measles isn't just a little rash. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.

The first step in protecting your child is by getting them vaccinated.

7–14 days after a measles infection: first symptoms show

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Measles typically begins with:

High fever (may spike to more than 104°)

Cough

Runny nose 

Red, watery eyes

2–3 days after symptoms begin: Koplik spots

Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.

3–5 days after symptoms begin: measles rash

Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.

The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.

When the rash appears, a person's fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit

Severe complications in children and adults

Some people may suffer from severe complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). They may need to be hospitalized and could die.

Hospitalization. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles is hospitalized.

Pneumonia. As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.

Encephalitis. About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain). This can lead to convulsions and leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.

Death. Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.