Measles

Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. Cold-like symptoms The first symptoms of measles include: a high temperature a runny or blocked nose sneezing a cough red, sore, watery eyes Spots in the mouth Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/259736/view Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later. These spots usually last a few days. The measles rash A rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms. The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. Credit: phichet chaiyabin https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/measles-baby-408024505 Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/259737/view The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They're not usually itchy. Credit: Mediscan / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-measles-rash-52503125.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=51D0C664-0A7F-4989-BD3A-03BD405059E3&p=17774&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3Dbar%26st%3D0%26sortby%3D2%26qt%3DD1BM7H%26qt_raw%3DD1BM7H%26qn%3D%26lic%3D3%26edrf%3D0%26mr%3D0%26pr%3D0%26aoa%3D1%26creative%3D%26videos%3D%26nu%3D%26ccc%3D%26bespoke%3D%26apalib%3D%26ag%3D0%26hc%3D0%26et%3D0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3D0%26loc%3D0%26ot%3D0%26imgt%3D0%26dtfr%3D%26dtto%3D%26size%3D0xFF%26blackwhite%3D%26cutout%3D%26archive%3D1%26name%3D%26groupid%3D%26pseudoid%3D788068%26userid%3D%26id%3D%26a%3D%26xstx%3D0%26cbstore%3D1%26resultview%3DsortbyPopular%26lightbox%3D%26gname%3D%26gtype%3D%26apalic%3D%26tbar%3D1%26pc%3D%26simid%3D%26cap%3D1%26customgeoip%3D%26vd%3D0%26cid%3D%26pe%3D%26so%3D%26lb%3D%26pl%3D0%26plno%3D%26fi%3D0%26langcode%3Den%26upl%3D0%26cufr%3D%26cuto%3D%26howler%3D%26cvrem%3D0%26cvtype%3D0%26cvloc%3D0%26cl%3D0%26upfr%3D%26upto%3D%26primcat%3D%26seccat%3D%26cvcategory%3D*%26restriction%3D%26random%3D%26ispremium%3D1%26flip%3D0%26contributorqt%3D%26plgalleryno%3D%26plpublic%3D0%26viewaspublic%3D0%26isplcurate%3D0%26imageurl%3D%26saveQry%3D%26editorial%3D1%26t%3D0%26edoptin%3D The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin. Credit: DermNet: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/measles-images Credit: Don't Forget The Bubbles - Skin Deep: https://dftbskindeep.com/all-diagnoses/measles/

Measles usually starts to get better in about a week. After seeing a GP, there are things you can do to help ease the symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the infection. It can help to: rest and drink plenty of fluids, such as water, to avoid dehydration give your child paracetamol for children or ibuprofen for children if they're distressed or uncomfortable – check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or GP if you're not sure adults can take paracetamol or ibuprofen for a high temperature use cotton wool soaked in water that has been boiled and allowed to cool to gently remove any crusts from your or your child's eyes Important Stay off nursery, school or work for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears. Also try to avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.

Measles is spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. You’re infectious from when you first have symptoms (around 4 days before the rash appears) until 4 days after you get the rash. There are things you can do to reduce the risk of spreading or catching measles. Do open windows and doors to help reduce the risk of measles spreading – only open the top window or use safety catches if you have young children wash your hands often with soap and warm water use tissues when you cough or sneeze and throw them in the bin immediately after using them Don’t do not share cutlery, cups, towels, clothes, or bedding

Measles can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain. Problems that can be caused by measles include: pneumonia meningitis blindness seizures (fits) These problems are rare, but some people are more at risk. This includes babies and people with weakened immune systems. Measles in pregnancy If you get measles when you're pregnant, it could harm your baby. It can cause: miscarriage or stillbirth premature birth (before the 37th week of pregnancy) your baby having a low birthweight It's important to get medical advice if you're pregnant and have been in close contact with someone who has measles.

The MMRV and MMR vaccines can prevent measles. Both vaccines also protects you from mumps and rubella , and the MMRV vaccine also protects you from chickenpox . The MMRV vaccine is offered to all young children in the UK. The MMR vaccine is recommended for adults and older children if they were not vaccinated when they were younger. Ask at your GP surgery if you're not sure you or your child have had either of these vaccines. Your GP can vaccinate you for free on the NHS.