Physical signs
Effects on pregnancy and the unborn baby
Tests and treatments
Ordinary measles (or 'red' measles) is a highly contagious virus, also called 'rubeola', but is different from
rubella or German measles. Ordinary measles is spread by the infected person coughing and sneezing, or coming in contact with their contaminated items (such as tissues, drinking glasses or soiled hands). The person is infectious from the first symptoms until about 5 days after the rash appears. They then have lifelong immunity.
The incubation period for measles is about 7 to 14 days, with an average of 10 days for early symptoms, and the rash appearing 4 days later. The person is infectious from the first symptoms, about 3 to 5 days before the rash appears, until about 4 to 5 days after the rash appears.
Physical signs
Most adults are immune to ordinary measles. Non-immune adults and children may experience fever, sneezing, tiredness, runny nose, slight fever, dry cough, headache, sore, red watery eyes, followed by a blotchy, red rash that starts on the face and inside the mouth, then spreads down towards the feet until the whole body is covered (taking about 36 hours). The rash turns brownish, then fades after about 5 days. About 3% of people develop pneumonia or ear infections and about 0.1% develop and infection of the brain (encephalitis), which may be life-threatening.
Effects on pregnancy and the unborn baby
Ordinary measles does not cause abnormalities in unborn babies (like
rubella). However, it may increase the chances of miscarriage, low birth weight or premature birth. If the mother has measles close to the time of the baby's birth, the baby is at risk of being infected.
Tests and treatments
The type of measles you have can only be determined by a blood test. Some caregivers precribe an immunoglobulin injection (usually within 3 days of exposure), aimed at making the infection milder for the woman.