Measles has been greatly controlled by the use of vaccination. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that the vaccine has resulted in a 78 percent drop in deaths caused by measles between 2000 and 2008 worldwide. This serious infection is one of the leading causes of child deaths. The illness begins like any other childhood sickness, but a characteristic rash develops that sets measles apart. Identifying the symptoms can increase the chances of early treatment to improve a child's recovery.
Fever
Many childhood illnesses begin with a fever, and measles is no exception. Within 10 to 12 days of exposure to the virus, a child can develop an elevated temperature. Dr. Alan Greene, pediatrician and founder of DrGreene.com, explains that the fever is generally high, around 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cold-Like Symptoms
The WHO points out that a child will develop cold-like symptoms along with or shortly after the fever. These include runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis). The symptoms can worsen over the course of several days.
Koplik Spots
Koplik spots develop two or three days after the appearance of the other signs of illness, explains the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Greene describes these spots as white lesions that begin on the inside of the cheek and spread within 12 hours to cover most of the inner cheek and lower lip tissues. Koplik spots are not indicative of only measles; they can be associated with other illness as well. With measles, Koplik spots will disappear as the measles rash begins.
Rash
About 14 days after exposure to the virus and about four days after other signs of illness, a child will develop the measles rash. Dr. Greene points out that the fever still will be high when the rash first appears. Initially, the rash begins as small, red bumps around the ears, on the forehead and at the hairline. Over the course of three days, the bumps will spread over the face, neck, trunk, arms, buttocks and legs. So many bumps will develop that they will blend together, forming large red patches.
The rash will disappear within three or four days. It will begin to fade in the areas where it first started until it appears coppery, then brownish with white flakes, explains Dr. Greene.
