Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Measles

Measles or rubeola is a contagious childhood infection caused by a virus. Symptoms of measles do not appear in an infected individual until between ten to fourteen days after they are initially exposed. Symptoms begin with a mild fever that may or may not manifest with flu-like symptoms including dry cough, runny nose, and a sore throat. As the infection progresses, a rash of slightly raised, small red spots appears on the affected individual's skin. Usually, the face breaks out in this rash first, and Koplik's spots appear in the mouth. The rash spreads across the arms, down the trunk, and onto the thighs, legs, and feet.