Knowing the early signs ofmeaslesand its rash can help you recognize the illness as early as possible.
Prompt treatment can help reduce the risk of severe problems.
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Povorozniuk Liudmyla / Getty Images
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What Are the First Signs of Measles?
The first signs of measles usually appear 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
The incubation period is between your contact with an infected person and the onset of symptoms.
Photo courtesy of CDC/ Dr. Heinz F. Eichenwald
The early symptoms of measles typically occur about one to four days before the characteristic rash breaks out.
These symptoms include:
Koplik Spots
Koplik spots are symptoms that are disease-specific to measles.
These spots appear as yellow raised spots and bluish-white specks.
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They are about 2 millimeters (mm) to 3 mm, often on a reddened background.
These raised spots develop on the inside of your cheeks near your molars.
Koplik spots typically occur a few days before the measles rash.
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The spots are considered a key indicator for the early diagnosis of measles.
They are present in about 80% of measles cases.
The Measles Rash
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Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
The measles rash is the most prominent symptom of the disease.
It usually appears about three to five days after symptoms start.
The measles rash is distinctive and spreads over three days.
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It usually begins on your face, forehead, and hairline withlesionsthat are distinctive to the disease.
As it grows, the spots spread downward into a neck rash.
It continues to your torso and then to your hands and feet.
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It is usually accompanied by a decrease in fever and improvement in general symptoms.
Measles Complications
Measles complications can affect anyone.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common complication of measles during the acute phase of measles infection.
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It can lead todehydration.
Pneumonia
Pneumoniaaffects about 5% of children with measles.
This complication is the most common cause of death from measles in children.
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Encephalitis
Encephalitis(swelling of the brain) affects about one out of every 1,000 children who get measles.
This condition can causeconvulsions.
Its effect can result inhearing lossorintellectual disabilityin the affected child.
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Death
Measles is fatal for one to three of every 1,000 children who become infected with the disease.
Death typically occurs due to respiratory and neurologic complications.
How Long Does a Measles Rash Last?
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A measles rash usually starts to improve within one to two days after the eruption of the rash peaks.
Healing begins as the rash fades into light brown pigmentation in the sequence of its eruption.
A rubella rash begins with a mild rash with pink or light red spots.
It first appears on your face and spreads to the rest of your body, lasting about three days.
Up to 50% of people infected with German measles are asymptomatic.
It is sparked by the human herpesvirus 6 or 7.
Roseola begins with a high fever (101 degrees Fahrenheit to 105 degrees Fahrenheit).
The illness ends with a rose-colored rash that appears as rose-colored, blanchable red bumps.
The bumps are between 1 millimeter and 5 millimeters and are often surrounded by a pale halo.
The roseola rash starts on the trunk and spreads to the neck, buttocks, extremities, and face.
It usually lasts for one to two days.
While most common in children younger than 5 years old, it can also affect teens and adults.
Symptoms of HFMD occur three to seven days after exposure to the virus.
Chickenpoxis a highly contagious disease sparked by thevaricella-zoster virus.
Early symptoms can include a headache, sore throat, or stomachache.
These symptoms can last a few days, and the fever is between 101 degrees to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
The chickenpox rash typically appears within 10 to 21 days after exposure to an infected person.
The peak age for this disease is between 5 and 15.
This bacteria also causesstrep throat.
The rash pops up if the bacteria release a toxin that triggers this symptom.
It can also appear before the illness or up to seven days after other symptoms.
A scarlet fever rash can involve:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider?
Getting a diagnosis as early as possible is key to preventing complications from measles.
Though quite rare, measles poses serious health risks for anyone who is not vaccinated.
The disease can cause severe results, including death, for children under the age of 5.
Anyone with a fever and unexplained rash should be examined by a healthcare provider.
Knowing the signs of a measles rash can help you get the right treatment.
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