- Measles (rubeola) is an infection of the upper respiratory system.
- Caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family
- Highly contagious
- Common in unvaccinated young children and pregnant women (particularly in third world countries)
- Measles lives in the mucous of the infected person. It can be transmitted when they cough or sneeze. The virus can live on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours.
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Cough
- Conjunctivitis
- Fever that develops two weeks after exposure (can last up to a week)
- Rash that spreads all over the body
- Koplik's spots-tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth