Measles

Overview

Measles is a highly contagious viral infectious disease, which is frequently contracted during childhood. Although infections often progress without any further problems, measles is a serious disease that can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. The initial stage with fever, sensitivity to light and white spots in the mouth is followed by a skin rash and a feeling of being very unwell. Vaccination is strongly recommended.

Symptoms

• From infection to outbreak: 8-10 days (incubation period)

Initial phase (prodromal phase) is already contagious

• Fever
• Conjunctivitis, sensitivity to light
• Runny nose, sore throat, (barking) cough
• Inner lining of the cheeks: tiny white spots

Rash phase, still contagious

• Feeling of being very unwell (listless, tired)
• High fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Skin rash
  • Small spots, usually dark red
  • Spots can appear in clusters
  • Starts behind the ears, spreads to the rest of the body
  • Starts fading after 4 to 5 days
• Sometimes, itching
• Sometimes, diarrhoea

Complications

Particularly at risk: infants and adults

• Cerebral inflammation, seizures
• Myocarditis
• Croup
• Bacterial secondary infection
  • Bronchitis, pneumonia
  • Middle ear infection

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Measles virus (rubeola, highly contagious)
  • Droplet infection (talking, sneezing, coughing)
• Not vaccinated against measles
• Usually lifelong immunity after an infection

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Physical examination
• Blood test (to identify infection), if necessary
• Measurement of electrical activity in the brain, if necessary

Possible therapies

• Treatment of symptoms
  • Fever-reducing painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
  • Intake of fluid
  • Bed rest, dark rooms
  • Nasal spray, eye drops
  • Cough suppressants and anti-itching medication, if necessary
  • For bacterial secondary infection: antibiotics
• Persons with a weakened immune system: passive immunisation (administration of immune globulins)

What can I do myself?

• Preventive: measles vaccination (recommended by WHO, recommended by FOPH)
• Children with measles
  • Bed rest, dark rooms
  • Fever-reducing and anti-itching medication
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Calf wraps (depending on age), cold compresses on the groin
  • Unvaccinated siblings are probably also infected
• Persons who did not have a vaccination or never had measles: keep their distance

When to see a doctor?

• Persistent fever (longer than three days)
• Shortness of breath, pain when breathing
• Severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation, seizures
• Earache
• Burning, very light-sensitive eyes
• Worsening stomach ache

Further information

Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH (Bundesamt für Gesundheit, BAG)
Information about measles: www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en
Swiss vaccination schedule: www.bag.admin.ch/bag

Synonyms

measles, rubeola, morbilli