Measles symptoms usually begin 7 to 21 days after exposure and may include:
- High fever (over 38.5°C
- Cough and runny nose
- Red, watery, or sore eyes
- Drowsiness and irritability
- Tiny white spots in the mouth (Koplik spots – a unique measles sign)
- Red blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading to the body
Unlike heat rash, poison ivy, or swimmer’s itch, the measles rash:
- Appears after flu-like symptoms
- Starts on the face, then spreads
- Looks like flat red spots that may merge together
- Is less itchy than other rashes
Measles Rash vs. Common Summer Rashes:
| Measles Rash | Other Rashes |
|---|---|
| Follows flu-like symptoms | Often appear first |
| Flat red spots that may merge | Often raised, bumpy or itchy |
| Spreads from face to body | May be localized |
| Less itchy | Often very itchy (e.g. poison ivy, swimmer’s itch) |
