Measles

Measles is a serious illness caused by a virus. The virus can last for one to two weeks. It is rare today because most children are immunized against it. However, the number of diagnosed cases has grown across the country. This increase is related to children not being vaccinated. Measles starts with a fever that can get very high. Some of the other symptoms that may occur are:

 Fatigue

 Cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes

 Rash of tiny, red spots that usually lasts five to six days, (the rash begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body)

 Diarrhea

 Ear infection

Measles spreads when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It is very contagious from five days before until four days after the start of the rash. After exposure, it can take one to two weeks for the person to get sick. Measles can spread by being in a room with a person with measles and up to two hours after that person is gone. It can also spread from an infected person even before they have a measles rash. Almost everyone who has not had the measles vaccine will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus. People who have had measles or were immunized usually can’t catch it again. Children diagnosed with measles should remain out of the center until a doctor determines the child is no longer infectious. Any unimmunized children or staff should be excluded from the program for two weeks after the rash appears in the last case of measles at the facility.