Health Tip: Don't Ignore Symptoms of Measles

Warning signs of the viral infection

December 9, 2010 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- Measles is a very contagious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and respiratory or ear infections.

Thanks to widespread vaccination, measles cases have dropped to a sparse few in the United States and Canada, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

Nonetheless, the NLM mentions these potential symptoms of measles:

Spotty rash that commonly starts three-to-five days after other symptoms emerge.
Bloodshot eyes.
Cough.
Fever.
Light sensitivity.
Muscle pain.
Eye redness.
Runny nose.
Sore throat.
Small white spots in the mouth.