More than in 17 states around the country have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control so far in 2024, including . Here's what you should know about measles, its causes, and the symptoms to watch for. Measles, also known as rubeola, is a spread through direct contact or through the air.
Though their symptoms are similar and they are prevented with the same combined MMR vaccine, measles/rubeola is different from rubella. Somebody will begin to experience a high fever, coughing, a runny nose and watery, red eyes between seven and 14 days after infection, according to the CDC. Several days after symptoms begin to appear, patients may experience white spots inside their mouth.
A rash then breaks out, beginning on the patient's face and eventually spreading down the body. The rash initially appears as flat red spots but could also produce smaller raised bumps, and the spots may join as the rash spreads. Measles-related deaths are usually caused by complications like diarrhea-related dehydration, respiratory infections and a brain-swelling infection called encephalitis, .
According to the , there is no antiviral treatment specifically for measles. Rather, medical treatment is "supportive and to help relieve symptoms and address complications such as bacterial infections" while the virus runs its course, and symptoms often subside after several days. Getting the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of being exposed to measles may offer some protection against the disease, such as ha.