Measles: symptoms, treatment and prevention

Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases. Find out here how measles is treated.

measles vaccination
VOISIN/PHANIEGetty Images

Concerned you or your child might have measles? Measles is now uncommon in the UK because of the effectiveness of vaccination, but anyone can get it if they haven't been vaccinated or haven't had it before. Here's everything you need to know about this contagious viral disease:

What is measles?

Measles starts with cold and flu like symptoms, before developing into a rash. The illness typically lasts from seven to 10 days.

Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases. It belongs to a family of viruses called the paramyxoviruses which also includes mumps. It is an unpleasant and dangerous childhood disease.

💡Measles is a notifiable disease in the UK. This means that, by law, cases are required to be reported to a health officer or local government authority. Speak to your GP for advice.

What are the symptoms of measles?

The initial measles symptoms often include the following:

  • Measles symptoms usually start with a high fever at about 39ºC and a cold.
  • Coughing, possibly with a barking cough.
  • Sore throat – the lymph nodes in the throat may swell.
  • Reddish eyes (conjunctivitis).
  • Sensitivity to light.
  • Greyish spots, the size of grains of sand may appear in the mucous membrane of the mouth just around the molar teeth. These are called Koplik's spots and can be seen before the rash appears.
  • After three to four days the temperature may fall, although it can run high again when the rash appears.
  • The rash usually begins around the ears and spreads to the body and the legs within a day or two. The spots are a clear red colour.
  • At first the spots are very small – a couple of millimetres – but they double in size quickly and begin to join together.
  • The temperature may run as high as 40ºC for a couple of days. Then it dissipates together with the rash, which may leave some brown spots.
  • Symptoms usually clear within 7 to 10 days.

    ⚠️ Children who have had measles should not return to school or childcare until they are completely recovered and their high temperature has gone down and at least four days after the rash started.

    How is measles treated?

    The best treatment for measles is to stay in bed in a cool room without any bright lights. Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated; warm drinks can help ease coughing.

    Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given to ease discomfort and lower temperature.

    If you have been exposed to the measles virus and have never been vaccinated then speak to your GP about receiving a vaccination as soon as possible. This advice includes children over the age of six months. Those under six months, those with a low immune system or pregnant women should speak to their GP about receiving human normal immunoglobulin which can give immediate protection if received within six days of exposure to measles.



    How is measles transmitted?

    Unless you have already had measles, it is highly infectious and can be spread in the following ways:

    ✔️ Droplets transfer the infection. Although the sick person may be in isolation, the disease may still spread from room to room.

    ✔️ Anybody who has not already had measles can be infected.

    ✔️ Infants up to four months of age will not be infected if their mother has had measles herself because they will be protected by her antibodies.

    ✔️ The incubation period – the time between infection and the outbreak of the condition – is usually one to two weeks.

    ✔️ Patients are infectious from four days before the onset of the rash until four days after it appears.



        When should you visit your GP?

        Measles is a notifiable disease in the UK, so by law you should report it to a health officer or local government authority.

        Phone your GP surgery first and explain that you suspect measles, they may wish to make arrangements to keep you away from other patients due to the contagious nature of the disease.

        If you are concerned at any point, if you or your child are not improving, deteriorating or the high temperature is not settling then speak to your doctor.

        💡 Once you've had measles, you can never catch it again as the disease gives lifelong immunity.

        Measles potential complications

        The doctor must make sure there are no further complications such as:

        • Fitting associated with the high fever (febrile convulsions/febrile fits)
        • Pneumonia (due to secondary bacterial infection)
        • Inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media)
        • Inflammation of the nervous system, eg meningitis, encephalitis. Fortunately, these complications seldom happen and are the exception rather than the rule.


          How is measles prevented?

          Measles is easily prevented by vaccination in childhood.

          In the UK all children between the age of 12 and 13 months are offered the MMR vaccination, which will protect them from measles, mumps and rubella. Children are given a second booster dose of the vaccine between three and a half years of age.

          A large rise in the number of cases of measles in the UK has been directly linked to a fall in the number of children who received the MMR vaccine in the late 90's and early 2000's. It's probable that the fall in uptake of the vaccine during this time was a result of widespread media coverage of an unproven link between the MMR vaccine and bowel disease or autism.

          Measles is easily prevented by vaccination in childhood.

          This scare was based on a piece of research that was seriously flawed and has since been widely discredited. In fact the doctor who was responsible for the research has been struck off the medical register for acting "dishonestly and irresponsibly" in his research and "bringing the medical profession into disrepute".

          The drop in uptake of the MMR vaccination left a generation of children who were born between 1997 and 2003 unprotected or only partially protected against measles, mumps and rubella. Therefore, a catch-up vaccination campaign was conducted during 2013 for unvaccinated children aged 10 to 16 years to have the MMR vaccine to help prevent further outbreaks of all three diseases.

          Measles as a single vaccine

          Measles is given in a vaccine along with mumps and rubella. Although some people have suggested that giving the three vaccines together might overload a child's immune system, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, studies have shown that in general, a child's immune system makes an excellent response to MMR vaccine, thereby protecting them against all three diseases.

          Giving all three as single vaccines leaves children exposed to measles, mumps and rubella. The six separate vaccinations required need to be scheduled weeks or months apart potentially leaving children at risk in the extended times between vaccinations.

          Due to the effectiveness of the MMR and the concerns surrounding vaccinating for each disease separately, single vaccines are not available on the NHS and have to be accessed via private clinics. The World Health Organisation and other independent health bodies do not recommend the use of single vaccines.

          💡If you or your child have not had the MMR jab, have only had one dose, or are not sure, you should contact your doctor about getting the vaccine immediately.

          Measles and pregnancy

          If you are planning a pregnancy, you should make sure that you have a measles vaccination unless you have had the disease in the past.

          If in doubt, consult your GP in order to get the MMR vaccine. This vaccine cannot be given during pregnancy and you should not get pregnant for one month after having the jab.

          Contracting measles during pregnancy has not been reported to cause any subsequent congenital abnormalities in the baby concerned. However, it can result in miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and still birth.



          Last updated: 03-12-19

          Dr Juliet McGrattan Dr Juliet McGrattan spent 16 years working as an NHS GP.
          Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
          More From Happy family