Measles

Anyone can get measles if they haven’t been vaccinated or they haven’t had it before. It’s most common in young children.

Measles usually clears in around 7 to 10 days.


Measles usually clears in around 7 to 10 days.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of measles develop around 10 days after you’re infected. These can include:

cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light watery eyes swollen eyes a high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40°C (104°F) small greyish-white spots in the mouth aches and pains loss of appetite tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy

The measles rash appears around 2 to 4 days after the initial symptoms and normally fades after about a week. The rash:

is made up of small red-brown, flat or slightly raised spots that may join together into larger blotchy patches usually first appears on the head or neck, before spreading outwards to the rest of the body is slightly itchy for some people

Measles rash

Go to A&E or phone 999 if: You or your child have measles and: shortness of breath a high temperature that does not come down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen is coughing up blood drowsiness confusion fits (convulsions)

Phone your GP urgently if: you think you or your child might have measles you’ve been in close contact with someone who has measles and you’ve not been fully vaccinated (had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine) or haven’t had the infection before – even if you don’t have any symptoms you’ve been in close contact with someone who has measles and you’re pregnant – measles can be serious in pregnancy you have a weakened immune system and think you have measles or have been in close contact with someone with measles If your GP is closed, phone 111.

You should phone your GP first before visiting. They can make arrangements to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.