Measles, caused by a virus, is the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease.

• Fever, cough, runny nose, and watery inflamed eyes
• In the mouth - small red spots with white or bluish white centers
• Dusky red, blotchy rash that begins on the face and spreads all over the body
• Rash begins on 3rd to 7th day of illness and lasts 4 to 7 days

• One out of 10 cases will have ear infections or pneumonia
• Measles encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) occurs in about 1 of every 1,000 cases and may result in permanent brain damage
• Death from respiratory and neurologic complications occurs in one out of 3,000 cases.

Measles is diagnosed by the detection of measles virus from an appropriate sample (nasopharyngeal or throat swab and urine) and a blood test.

Rest and treating the fever (if there is one).

• Immunization with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles.
• All contacts of a measles case that have not had measles disease or 2 doses of measles vaccine in the past should receive measles vaccine within 72 hours of last exposure to the infected person.
• Immune globulin (a blood product containing measles antibodies) is available to prevent measles disease in people who are exposed to a case of measles but who are unable to be immunized with MMR for any reason. 
  
• Wash hands well, especially after coughing and sneezing and before preparing foods or eating.
• Don't share food, drinks, utensils, etc.