Measles Symptoms

Measles is an illness brought on by one of two viruses: rubella or rubeola. It is best described as an illness that produces a rash in children; however, it has been known to affect other parts of the body. While it is predominately a children’s disease, there have been cases where adults get it. Because of its appearance in so many children, getting vaccination has become a common practice for children. They get a cocktail of vaccines that helps against measles as well as mumps.

Types of Measles

• Rubeola virus causes “red measles” which is a more severe measles of the two types. This is known as “hard measles” or just plain “measles.” While most people do recover from it just fine, there are instances where it can cause pneumonia as well as significant brain damage.
• Rubella virus causes “German measles” which is known as “three-days measles.” While it is the milder of the two types, it can causes birth defects if passed from mother to infant during development.

Symptoms of Measles

Both types of measles tend to have the same early phase measles. It is the second phase (late phase) that makes the two different.

• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Runny nose
• Conjunctivitis
• Loss of Appetite

After anywhere from two to four days, the symptoms of red measles develop from the early phase symptoms to more severe ones. They are:

• Rash starting on the face and then spreading to the neck and then the arms, torso and legs.
• Might start with small, red bumps that blend into each other.
• Typically it is not itchy, but as the measles begins to heal, the skin begins to shed.
• Pneumonia and swelling in the brain come when it gets very severe.

On the other hand, though, after phase one ends, German measles brings a somewhat different type of symptom. They are:

• Swollen, tender lymph nodes found in the back and base of the neck.
• Light pink bumps that over time might merge into one rash. Starts on the face.
• Might cause stiff and painful joints in adult women.
• Shedding of skin.

While the symptoms do have similarities, going to a doctor will help determine which type you have. The doctor will be able to diagnose the type of measles that you have. However, even if he does know, there are few things that can be done. The best thing for curing measles is to get the vaccine so you never get it or get plenty of rest, drink a lot of fluids and get over it naturally. However, if pneumonia or brain swelling appears, immediately go to the doctor so that he can do what is necessary to prevent these life threatening issues.