Measles

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Screening and diagnosis Complications Treatment Prevention Self-care

Introduction

The thought of measles may bring to mind the red, blotchy rash that often accompanies this disorder. But the rash is just an outward sign of the more worrisome changes happening inside your body. Measles is primarily a respiratory infection caused by a highly contagious virus found all over the world.

Also called rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children. Approximately 30 million to 40 million cases of measles occur worldwide each year, resulting in close to 1 million deaths. Measles (rubeola) is not the same as rubella, a condition caused by a different virus that is less contagious and results in less severe symptoms.

The measles vaccine is a highly effective way to prevent the measles illness. Thanks to the vaccine, less than 50 cases of measles were reported in the United States in 2004. However, vaccination programs are incomplete in much of the world. Global health organizations are working hard to address this problem. The widespread nature of the disease is why vaccination programs are still necessary in countries where few cases of measles occur. The disease can spread easily with international travelers.

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Signs and symptoms