Measles: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
الحصبة
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease causing fever, a characteristic rash, and respiratory symptoms. It can be serious, especially in young children, and is prevented very effectively by the MMR vaccine. Treatment is supportive, with vitamin A and patient isolation important.
What is Measles?
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, as its virus spreads extremely easily through the air and respiratory droplets and remains suspended in the air for hours. A single unvaccinated infected person in an enclosed space is enough to transmit the infection to most non-immune people around them.
Measles begins with symptoms resembling a severe cold: high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, then small white spots appear inside the mouth (Koplik spots) followed by a characteristic red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. This sequence helps the doctor make the diagnosis.
Although it was once considered a passing childhood illness, measles can cause serious complications, especially in children under five, the malnourished, and the immunocompromised, such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death. There is no direct antiviral treatment; care is supportive with vitamin A, which reduces its severity. The MMR vaccine — effective and safe — therefore remains the first line of defense, and any drop in its coverage brings outbreaks back.
Symptoms
- High fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.
- Small white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots).
- A red rash starting on the face and spreading to the body.
- Fatigue, loss of appetite, and light sensitivity.
Causes
- Infection with the measles virus.
- Extremely easy spread through the air and respiratory droplets.
- Lack of immunity due to not being vaccinated.
Diagnosis
- Clinical diagnosis from the symptoms, the characteristic rash, and Koplik spots.
- A blood test to confirm the infection when needed.
Treatment
Supportive care
- Rest, fluids, and fever reducers.
- Giving vitamin A, which reduces the disease's severity and complications.
- Isolating the patient to prevent spread.
There is no direct antiviral treatment. This content is educational and does not replace medical advice.
Complications
- Pneumonia.
- Brain inflammation (encephalitis).
- Diarrhea, dehydration, and ear infections.
- Higher risk for young children and the immunocompromised.
Prevention
- The MMR vaccine, the most important and effective prevention.
- Isolating those infected.
- Maintaining high vaccination coverage in the community.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for high fever with a rash spreading from the face, and go to the emergency department for breathing difficulty, severe drowsiness, seizures, or dehydration, especially in young children. Book an appointment with a pediatrician on ClinicsJo.