Measles, also known as rubeola, a highly contagious airborne virus that at one time infected nearly everyone in America, now occurs only rarely in the United States. Dr. Margaret Hunt of the University of South Carolina Medical School states that only 86 cases occurred in 2001, all imported from other countries. Worldwide, measles infects 30 million people each year, including many toddlers and small children. Symptoms of measles occur in stages, over a period of around four days, pediatrician and columnist Alan Greene, M.D., explains.
Cold Symptoms
The first symptoms of measles in a toddler seem like cold symptoms, and last around four days. Runny nose, cough, sore throat, malaise and fatigue may all occur, MyDr.com.au states. A toddler may be unable to explain that he isn't feeling well, but may be cranky, lose his appetite, and sleep more than normal. Some toddlers develop reddened eyes, called conjunctivitis, and light sensitivity.
Fever
Mild or moderate fever appears sometime during the first four days of symptoms in toddlers, and lasts until after the rash appears. As the rash appears, the fever spikes, going as high as 105 F, the Mayo Clinic states. The fever begins to subside as the rash spreads.
Koplik's Spots
Koplik's spots appear in a toddler's mouth two or three days after the cold symptoms appear, before the rash occurs. Dr. Greene reports that Koplik's spots, small white spots with bluish centers on a red background, are the hallmark sign of measles. Koplik's spots start at the back of the inside of the cheek and spread to cover most of the inside of the cheek and lower lip.
Rash
The measles rash appears around day four of illness in the toddler. The rash appears first behind the ears and in the hairline around the forehead, then spreads from the head down over the next three days. The face, neck, trunk, extremities and buttocks are affected by the rash, which may start out as individual spots and then blend together, Dr. Greene states. The rash may be slightly itchy.
