Measles

Measles

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is Measles?

    Measles, also called rubeola, is caused by a virus. It's spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drinks. The virus can travel through the air. This means you can get measles if you're near someone who has it even if that person doesn't cough or sneeze directly on you.

    Symptoms may start about 7 to 14 days after you're exposed to measles. Symptoms include a high fever, a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, and a cough. The lymph glands in your neck may swell. You also may feel very tired and have diarrhea and red, sore eyes. After these symptoms start to go away, you may get tiny white spots inside your mouth, followed by a rash over your body.

    Care at home, such as rest, fluids and pain relievers, is usually the only treatment you need for measles.

    If you've had measles, you can't get it again.

    Measles rash
    Measles rash.

    Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved. Available online: www.cdc.gov

    Measles is an infectious disease that causes a red rash over most of the body and severe flu-like symptoms with a high fever. Measles is rare in the United States and Canada because of widespread immunization programs.

    Appointment Information

    To make an appointment, please call 734-647-5899 or 888-229-7409.

    What are the symptoms of measles?

    Early symptoms of measles are a high fever, a runny nose, and a cough. You also may feel tired and have red, watery eyes. As these symptoms start to go away, you may get tiny white spots inside your mouth, followed by a rash all over your body.

    How is measles diagnosed?

    If you think you have measles, call ahead and explain your symptoms before you go to a doctor's office. After you've had an exam, your doctor may order a blood test, a viral culture, or both to see if you have measles.

    How is measles treated?

    Measles usually gets better with home care. You can take medicine to lower your fever, if needed. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Also, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Stay away from other people as much as you can so that you don't spread the disease. Anyone who has measles should stay out of school, day care, work, and public places until at least 4 days after the rash first appeared.

    Your doctor may suggest vitamin A supplements if your child has measles.

    If you have been exposed to measles and you haven't had the vaccine, you may be able to prevent the infection by getting immunoglobulin (IG) or the measles vaccine as soon as possible. Babies who are younger than 12 months, pregnant people, and people who have impaired immune systems that can't fight infection may need to get IG if they are exposed to measles.

    Locations
    • Infectious Disease Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 2
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Infectious Disease Clinic | Canton Health Center 1051 N Canton Center Rd
      Floor 3 Reception D
      Canton, MI 48187-5097       Get Directions
    • Infectious Disease Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 3 Reception D
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5378       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor

    Sandro Kurt Cinti, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine

    Tejal Nikhil Gandhi, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine

    Kevin Sellery Gregg, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine

    Daniel Richard Kaul, MD

    Daniel Richard Kaul, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine

    Powel Harold Kazanjian, MD

    Powel Harold Kazanjian, MD

    Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine

    Kathleen Ann Linder, MD

    Kathleen Ann Linder, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine

    Preeti N Malani, MD

    Preeti N Malani, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine

    Michigan Photo

    David Michael Markovitz, MD

    Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine

    Marisa Haydee Miceli, MD

    Marisa Haydee Miceli, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine

    Lindsay Ann Petty, MD

    Lindsay Ann Petty, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine

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