Measles
The following pages provide information about measles.
We hope you find the education and resources helpful in supporting you while you take care of your child from home.
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that can lead to serious health problems.
It is caused by the measles virus (scientific name Morbillivirus). This is an airborne virus, meaning that if someone with measles breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks, tiny droplets containing the virus get into the air. In this way, it can spread to others just by being in the same room as someone who is infected, or by direct contact with measles-infected fluids. These tiny droplets can remain in the air for up to 2 hours.
People with measles can spread the disease as early as 5 days before the rash appears and until 4 days after.
Symptoms of Measles
Symptoms typically develop within 10-12 days after exposure to an infected person. The symptoms of measles include:
- fever
- cough
- runny nose
- red eyes
- measles rash
- typically starts 3-5 days after onset of other symptoms
- initially may look like flat red spots on the forehead/face which then spreads down the neck and torso to the arms, legs and feet
- on darker skin, these spots may be harder to visualize
- Koplik spots
- small red spots with blue-white centers inside the mouth
- commonly on the inside of the cheeks near the molars
Resource: Nemours KidsHealth - Measles: What You Need To Know
Testing for Measles
If your healthcare provider suspects measles based on symptoms, then they will recommend testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Measles is diagnosed using laboratory testing. You or your child may expect the following types of tests:
- urine
- nasopharyngeal (nose) swab
- throat swab
- blood testing
What to do at home
Click below for information on ways to help at home.
Track your child's symptoms
Keep track of your child's fever and document details such as:
- date and time
- temperature reading and how it was measured (e.g., mouth, armpit)
- any medications given and if they helped with the fever
It is also important to pay attention to other symptoms that may help your healthcare provider understand what is causing or worsening the fever like ear pain or cough. Track symptoms as they appear and document any details you feel are important.
Help with cough and congestion
Saline and suction can be used to help clear your child's
nasal passages. Start by applying saline (salt water) to the
nasal passages. Afterwards, you can use a bulb suction to
remove excess mucous. This can help with feeding in infants
and with sleep, so consider saline and suctioning prior to
feeding or sleeping.
The following resource is a link to a video with instruction
on how to use saline and suction in an infant
Boys Town Pediatrics - Nasal Saline & Suction
Fever management
To help reduce fever, you can give your child acetaminophen
(Tylenol) and, if your child is older than 3 months,
ibuprofen (Advil), so long as your child does not have
allergies or other reasons not to take these medications.
Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, give the dose
recommended on the medication package.
Safe Acetaminophen Dosing for Infants and Children
Mount Sinai - Ibuprofen Dosing for Infants and
Children
Help your child stay hydrated
As with other viral illnesses, it is important to ensure your child remains well hydrated by offering fluids containing not only water but sugar and electrolytes (e.g., breastmilk or formula in infants, electrolyte drinks in older children) WebMD - Treating Dehydration in Children
Does my child need antibiotics?
No, antibiotics are not used to treat measles.
Viruses and bacteria can both cause infection but are different bugs. Bacteria can be killed using antibiotics. Viruses cannot be killed by antibiotics. Since measles is caused by a virus, antibiotics are not helpful in treatment.
Most people recover completely from measles. However, children with measles are at a higher risk of other, potentially serious, bacterial infections, like ear infections (acute otitis media), chest infections (pneumonia) and inflammation of the brain. Therefore, your healthcare provider may have prescribed antibiotics for this reason. Please follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
How to avoid spreading the virus
Stay home and avoid contact with others. Measles is highly contagious and easily spread.
Please remain at home until your local Public Health has provided further guidance.
That being said, if you feel the need to seek medical attention (call 911 or go to the emergency department), please do not hesitate to do so.
Prevention
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine should be given to all children who are eligible. Anyone with 2 doses of the MMR vaccine has nearly 100% protection against getting measles and protection usually lasts a lifetime.
Routine vaccination with the MMR vaccine usually starts with the first dose at 12 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. During outbreaks, the suggested timing of the vaccine may vary. Please refer to your local Public Health guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
What to do in case of an exposure?
If you are worried that you or your child may have been exposed to measles, contact your doctor.
In some cases, a dose of the MMR vaccine or a medication (called immune globulin) may be advised to try and prevent measles after exposure.
Your healthcare provider will also need to report any confirmed or suspected case of measles to your local Public Health authority who assist in testing and advice on what to do in case of exposure or infection. You are also encouraged to call Public Health to provide any information and receive further guidance.
When to seek medical attention
Here are some signs that, if present, should lead you to seek immediate medical attention for your child:
- fever in a child under 4 weeks of age
- fever lasting more than 48-72 hours
- excessively sleepy, lethargic, or not responsive child
- excessively cranky, fussy, or irritable child
- fast or laboured breathing
- cyanosis (blue lips or fingers)
- stridor (high-pitched sound when child breathes in)
- severe headache or persistent vomiting
- seizure
- poor intake or diarrhea leading to dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, dark urine, no urine for more than 8-12 hours)
You can also refer to these excellent resources for signs of severe illness: SIGNS - Spot Severe Illness in Infants, Children & Adolescents SickKids - AboutKidshealth - Measles
Follow Up
Unless instructed otherwise, if your child's fever persists for more than 48 hours, please have them seen by their primary care provider. Of course, if you feel your child needs immediate medical attention, please do not hesitate to call 911 or bring them to your closest emergency department.
We hope this has been useful. Thank you for using Paediatrics@home!