Measles explained: Learn about symptoms and vaccines to protect you against the contagious disease

With 35 measles cases in the U.S. already this year, doctors and people who've gotten the disease describe its symptoms, severity and treatment.

It starts with a high fever — in some cases, up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Children may also feel achy or lose energy. 

Roughly a day after the fever sets in come the three C’s of measles: cough, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and coryza (a runny nose). Some kids may be sensitive to light and start to squint, as well.

But the most characteristic signs of measles — tiny white spots in the mouth and a blotchy rash that spreads from head to toe — don’t appear right away. 

The spots typically show up on the insides of the cheeks near the molars about two to three days after symptoms start. The rash — which consists of flat, red spots — breaks out between days three and five, forming at the hairline before spreading to the neck, torso, arms, legs and feet.

“It’s as if you sort of poured a bucket of measles on your head, and then it works its way down,” said Dr. Paul Offit, who had measles as a child before vaccines were available. Offit is the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/measles-symptoms-severity-treatment-rcna140532

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