Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily from person to person. It causes a blotchy red rash. The rash often starts on the head and moves down the body. Other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Feeling achy and run down
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth
Sometimes measles can lead to serious problems. There is no treatment for measles, but the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine can prevent it.
“German measles”, also known as rubella, is a completely different illness.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Health topic summary reproduced with attribution.
