Overview
Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory system that is caused by a virus. It does not occur often in the United States, since immunizations have been required since the 1960s. The development (incubation) period, after the measles virus infects the upper airways (upper respiratory tract), is about 10 days. This child then has 3 or 4 days of cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash. The child usually is well after 2 weeks of illness and then has life-long resistance (immunity) to becoming infected again.
Complications from measles more commonly occur in children aged younger than 5 and adults older than 20. Serious complications of measles include blindness, inflammation of the brain caused by infection (encephalitis), severe diarrhea that may potentially lead to dehydration, ear infections, and severe respiratory infections. The most common cause of death associated with measles is from pneumonia. The majority of deaths from measles occur in developing countries.
