8 main measles symptoms (with photos)

The initial signs of measles are similar to the flu or a cold, with a sore throat, dry cough, muscle pain, excessive tiredness and fever being initially noted.

The first symptoms of measles appear between 8 and 12 days after contact with the virus, and it is common for 3 days after the appearance of the first symptom to appear the red spots typical of measles, which are not itchy and spread throughout the body.

Measles is caused by the family virus Paramyxoviridae, and is transmitted from person to person, through droplets of saliva from an infected person or through contact with particles of feces from an infected person, and vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease. Find out more about measles.

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Photos of measles in children

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of measles are:

1. Red spots on the skin that do not itch and spread easily across the body;
2. Sore throat;
3. Dry cough;
4. Muscle pain;
5. Excessive tiredness;
6. Fever above 38ºC;
7. White spots inside the mouth;
8. Redness in the eyes.

Measles is a viral infection that mainly affects children during the first year of life. However, the disease can also occur in people over 1 year of age or in adults who have not been vaccinated against measles, being more common in summer and autumn.

Online symptom test

If you think you or someone else may have measles, get tested for the symptoms you have:

The symptom test is only a guidance tool and does not serve as a diagnosis or replace consultation with an infectious disease specialist or general practitioner.

How to confirm if it is measles

The diagnosis of measles is normally made by a pediatrician, in the case of children, or a general practitioner, by evaluating the signs and symptoms presented by the child or adult. However, as the symptoms of measles are very similar to those of rubella, chickenpox, roseola and even drug allergies, the doctor may recommend carrying out some laboratory tests such as serological tests, throat or urine cultures.

If you are suspected of having measles, it is very important to avoid passing the disease on to other people, as the virus is easily transmitted by coughing or sneezing, and therefore it is recommended to use a mask or clean cloth to protect your mouth.

Discover 7 other diseases that can cause red spots on the skin.

Possible complications

Measles complications appear more frequently in children under 5 years of age and people over 20 years of age, the most common being pneumonia, diarrhea and otitis media. Another complication of measles is acute encephalitis, which appears around the 6th day after the appearance of red spots on the skin.

How the treatment is carried out

Measles treatment consists of relieving symptoms through rest, drinking fluids and bland, a type of diet where foods are soft, well cooked and/or processed, to facilitate chewing and digestion. Learn more about the bland diet.

In addition, measles treatment also includes the use of medications such as paracetamol and vitamin A supplements, which must be recommended by a doctor. Find out more about how measles is treated.

Measles is more common in children and its treatment is designed to control symptoms, such as fever, general malaise, lack of appetite and reddish spots on the skin that can develop into small wounds (ulcerations).

Learn more about measles in the following video: