Under the microscope: Measles

Measles: under the microscope | Symptoms of measles | Preventing measles

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Each week we look more closely at the most common health conditions.

This week, we're focusing on measles.

What is measles?

Measles is a virus that's passed through droplets of saliva, so coughing, sneezing, touching, kissing or breathing in contaminated air can lead to infection. Measles is easy to catch if you haven't been vaccinated and it can spread quickly, especially at school.

What are the symptoms of measles?

You might feel like you have a cold with a fever, coughing, conjunctivitis and a rash made up of many reddish-brown spots. This rash first appears as tiny white spots surrounded by red spots inside the mouth, then you might get a red, spotty rash on the body, which often starts behind the ears and moves down.

Some people also get tummy aches, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Is measles serious?

Not usually but it can be. Less than 1 in a 1,000 cases are fatal or develop into more serious infections, such as encephalitis or pneumonia.

How long does measles last?

You might not see or feel any symptoms for 9 to 11 days after being infected and symptoms can last up to 14 days. The most infectious time for the virus is just after the first symptoms have appeared and just before the rash has developed.

What's the difference between measles and German measles?

German measles is a completely different virus also known as rubella.

Do only kids get measles?

Anyone who hasn't been vaccinated can get measles but it's more common in children between the ages of 1-4.

How do you treat measles?

Get a diagnosis from your GP and then stay at home and rest. Drink lots of fluid and use over-the-counter remedies for the symptoms. Keep kids off school and let people know you've got measles, so that if they or their child becomes ill they can look out for the same symptoms.

How can I prevent the infection spreading?

Teach your child to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze, if they're old enough to understand. Wipe all surfaces with an anti-bacterial solution as the virus can stay on surfaces. If you or your child has the virus stay away from others so you don't pass the infection on, especially to pregnant women.

If I've had measles once can I get it again?

Not usually, once you've had measles you develop immunity to it but if you have a very weak immune system it may come back or take longer to clear up.

What if I get measles when I'm pregnant?

Measles can be passed on to your baby if you get it while pregnant. It can cause miscarriage, premature labour or a baby with low birth weight - and you cannot be given the measles vaccination during pregnancy.

What about the MMR jab?

There has been some controversy about the vaccination for measles, or the MMR jab because there are theories that suggest you're child is more prone to autism and Crohn's disease after having the jab. But the majority of evidence and almost all health experts recommend the MMR jab because the possible risk of side-effects outweighs the risk of getting measles.

All kids in the UK are offered the MMR jab free on the NHS (which also protects against mumps and rubella). It is given to them between 12 and 15 months and then a booster dose just before they start school. Speak to your GP about the MMR jab.

Read last week's Under the microscope: Stress