Measles, Adult

Measles, also called rubeola, is an illness that causes a red skin rash. It's contagious, which means it spreads easily from person to person.

What are the causes?

• Breathing in droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze.
• Touching something that has the germ on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

What increases the risk?

• You've never gotten the vaccine shot.
• You haven't had measles before.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• Fever.
• White spots in your mouth.
• Red, runny eyes that may be extra sensitive to light.
• Sneezing or coughing.
• A sore throat.
• A red rash that starts on your face and spreads to your body.

The rash is the last symptom to form. It lasts 3–5 days. In rare cases, there's no rash.

How is this diagnosed?

• Blood or pee (urine) tests.
• A nose or throat swab.

How is this treated?

• Rest.
• Lots of fluids. In some cases, you may need to get fluids through an IV.
• Medicines to reduce itching and fever.
• Antibiotics, if you get an infection.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed antibiotics, take them as told by your provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Managing itching, pain, and discomfort

• To help with itching:
  • Put cold, wet cloths called cold compresses on your skin.
  • Put calamine lotion on your skin.
  • Take cool baths. Try adding baking soda or dry oatmeal to the water. Do not take a bath in hot water.
  • Stay cool and out of the sun. Sweating and being hot can make itching worse.
• If you have blisters in your mouth:
  • Do not have food and drinks that are spicy, salty, or have acid in them.
  • Soft, bland, and cold foods and drinks are best.
• Do not scratch or pick at the rash. To help stop scratching:
  • Keep your fingernails clean and cut short.
  • Wear soft gloves or mittens while you sleep.

Preventing infection of others

• Rest at home.
• Stay away from other people:
  • For at least 4 days after you get a rash.
  • Until your provider says you won't spread measles to others.

General instructions

• Drink enough fluid to keep your pee pale yellow.
• Keep the lights low if bright lights bother you.
• Keep a humidifier in your room. This can help with your cough.
• You may get a call from the public health department. They may ask how you got measles.

How is this prevented?

• If you haven't gotten the shot, you may be able to get it within 6 days of being around someone with measles.
• If you're pregnant or may be pregnant, you should not get the shot. It can cause problems with your pregnancy.
• If you've had measles, you can't get it again. You don't need the shot.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have ear pain.
• You have a headache.
• You have nausea or vomiting.
• Your symptoms don't go away in 2 weeks.
• You have symptoms of another illness.
• You feel weak or dizzy.
• Your pee is a darker color than normal.
• You pee less often than normal.

Get help right away if:

• You don't pee in 6–8 hours.
• You have a fever, and your symptoms get worse all of a sudden.
• You're short of breath or breathing very fast.
• You have chest pain.
• You're confused or extra sleepy.
• You have a seizure.

• Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital.