Measles, Pediatric

Measles (rubeola) is a respiratory illness that causes a red rash to appear on the skin. This condition is easily spread, or contagious. Measles can be very serious, especially in children who are younger than 5 years of age.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by a virus. It can spread from one person to another through droplets released into the air when a person with the condition talks, coughs, or sneezes. Children can get this condition by breathing in these droplets or by touching a surface where the infected droplets fell and then touching their mouths or noses.

Infected air droplets may be contagious for 2 hours.

What increases the risk?

Children are more likely to develop this condition if they:

Have not had the condition before.
Have not had the measles (MMR) vaccine.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

Fever.
White spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots).
Red, runny eyes that may be extra sensitive to light.
Sneezing or coughing.
A sore throat.
A red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body.

Symptoms usually begin 8–10 days after coming into contact with the virus. The rash is the last symptom to develop and lasts 3–5 days. In rare cases, there is no rash.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

Your child's symptoms.
Your child's medical history.
A physical exam.
Blood or urine tests.
A throat swab.

How is this treated?

This condition goes away on its own, usually within 2 weeks of symptoms starting. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and prevent complications from happening. Treatment may include:

Rest.
Drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated. If your child becomes dehydrated, fluids may be given through an IV.
Medicines that:
- Reduce itching (antihistamine).
- Reduce fever.
Vitamin A supplements.

If your child also develops a bacterial infection, he or she may need antibiotic medicines. Antibiotics do not cure measles.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child's health care provider.
Do not give your child aspirin, because of the association with Reye's syndrome.
Do not give ibuprofen to children under 6 months old.
If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give it as told by the health care provider. Do not stop giving the antibiotic even if your child starts to feel better.

Managing itching, pain, and discomfort

Keep your child cool and out of the sun. Sweating and being hot can make itching worse.
Have your child take cool baths. Add baking soda or oatmeal to the water to reduce itching. Do not bathe your child in hot water.
Put cold, wet cloths (cold compresses) on itchy areas as told by your child's health care provider.
Use calamine lotion as recommended by your child's health care provider. This is an over-the-counter lotion that helps to relieve itchiness.
If your child has blisters in his or her mouth, do not give spicy, salty, or acidic foods or drinks. Soft, bland, and cold foods and drinks are easiest to swallow.
Do not let your child scratch or pick at the rash. To help prevent scratching:
- Keep your child's fingernails short and clean.
- If scratching is a problem, have your child wear soft gloves or mittens while he or she sleeps.

General instructions

Three cups showing dark yellow, yellow, and pale yellow urine.

Have your child rest as told by your child's health care provider.
Make sure your child drinks enough fluid to keep his or her urine pale yellow.
Keep the lights low if bright lights bother your child.
Keep a humidifier in your child's room, if possible. This can help relieve your child's cough.
Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.

How is this prevented?

Measles can be prevented with a vaccine.

Children who are exposed to measles and did not receive a vaccine or have not had measles before may be able to get a vaccine or antibody shot within 6 days of exposure.
Children who have had measles before cannot get it again and do not need a vaccine.
Babies younger than 6 months usually do not need a vaccine.

To keep from spreading measles, keep your child away from others:

For at least 4 days after the rash appears.
Until your child's health care provider says that your child is no longer contagious.

Be aware that measles cases are often reported to a public health agency. You may be contacted by a public health department and asked questions about how your child got infected.

Contact a health care provider if:

Your child has ear pain or drainage.
Your child has a headache.
Your child has nausea or vomiting.
Your child has symptoms that do not go away in 2 weeks.
Your child has symptoms of another illness.
Your child passes urine that is a darker color than usual.
Your child passes less urine or has fewer wet diapers than normal.

Get help right away if:

Your child cannot drink fluids without vomiting, and this lasts for more than a few hours.
Your child has urinated only a small amount of very dark urine in 6–8 hours.
Your child has a fever and his or her symptoms suddenly get worse.
Your child is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Your child is short of breath or is breathing rapidly.
Your child has chest pain.
Your child is confused, unusually sleepy, or has a seizure.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).

Summary

Measles (rubeola) is a respiratory illness that is easily spread (contagious) and causes a red rash to appear on the skin.
Children can get this condition by breathing in droplets released into the air when a person with measles talks, coughs, or sneezes, or by touching a surface where the infected droplets fell and then touching their mouths or noses.
This condition goes away on its own, usually within 2 weeks.
To keep from spreading measles, keep your child away from others until 4 days after the rash appears or until your child's health care provider says that he or she is no longer contagious.
Measles can be prevented with a vaccine.