Symptoms of measles

The measles disease progresses in two phases. First comes the prodromal or initial stage, which lasts about three to seven days. This is followed by the exanthema stage, which is typical for measles.

Exanthema means skin rash. Often the stage begins with a reddening of the soft palate, i.e. in the area of the oral mucosa. When it appears on the oral mucosa, it is not called exanthema but enanthema.

Subsequently, the spotty, knotty rash spreads to the skin. The light red spots are about 5 mm in size and flow into each other (confluent). The rash typically starts behind the ears (retroauricular) and spreads over the whole body within 24 hours.

Only palms and soles of the feet are not affected. After a few days the spots are no longer red but turn brown-violet, only to disappear completely after four to seven days. This is often accompanied by a scaling of the skin.

The patient is no longer considered infectious when the rash has completely disappeared. Especially during the first phase of the disease, when the rash has not yet appeared, coughing and rhinitis can occur. An inflammation of the conjunctiva with reddening of the eyes is also common.

This is called the prodromal or initial stage. It lasts three to seven days and is followed by the exanthema stage. Measles is not typically accompanied by itching.

In some children, however, it occurs in connection with the skin rash. To alleviate the itching, for example, creaming with a gentle lotion several times a day can help. Cool compresses with yogurt are also said to have a soothing effect.Especially during the night it may be necessary to put on light cotton gloves to prevent children from scratching themselves due to itching.

If these measures do not help, ask your pediatrician for advice. This topic may also be of interest to you: Itchy skin rash – What kind of disease is it? Especially shortly after a vaccination, some children develop the so-called vaccination measles.

Approximately 5-15% of children are affected, the most frequent occurrence being after the first of the three measles, mumps and rubella combined vaccinations. Mild fever, mild skin rash and sometimes symptoms in the respiratory tract such as coughing occur. However, this is not the real measles, but only a very attenuated form.

It does not – like real measles – have life-threatening complications. Vaccination measles usually occurs in the second week after vaccination. One of the dreaded complications of measles is inflammation of the meninges and brain (meningoencephalitis).

It develops within a few days after the start of the rash. It leads to fever, headache, neck stiffness, vomiting and disturbances of consciousness up to coma. Epileptic seizures may also occur.

In Germany there are less than 10 cases of the disease per year. Only children not vaccinated against measles are affected. Measles meningoencephalitis is fatal in 15-20% of the cases, in up to 40% it causes permanent damage to the brain.

Diarrhea is not one of the typical symptoms of measles. However, it occurs as a complication in about 8% of children. The diarrhea is not dangerous. The affected child should drink enough fluids and – as is generally the case with measles – take it easy.