Complications can develop from measles, some of which can be extremely serious.

It’s estimated that around one in every 5,000 people with measles will die as a result of a serious complication.

Complications of measles are more likely to develop in certain groups of people, including:

• babies younger than one year old
• children with a poor diet
• children with a weakened immune system, such as those with AIDS or those having chemotherapy for leukaemia
• teenagers and adults

Children who are older than one year and otherwise healthy have the lowest risk of developing serious complications.

Common complications

More common complications of measles include:

• diarrhoea 
• vomiting
• middle ear infection (otitis media), which can cause earache
• eye infection (conjunctivitis)
• inflammation of the voice box (laryngitis)
• pneumonia, bronchitis and croup (infections of the airways and lungs)
• fits caused by a fever (febrile seizures)

Uncommon complications

Less common complications of measles include:

• liver infection (hepatitis)
• misalignment of the eyes (squint), if the virus affects the nerves and muscles of the eye
• infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and infection of the brain itself (encephalitis)

Rare complications

In rare cases, measles can lead to the following conditions:

• serious eye disorders, such as an infection of the optic nerve (the nerve that transmits information from the eye to the brain), known as optic neuritis, which can lead to blindness
• heart and nervous system problems
• a fatal brain complication known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which can sometimes occur several years after measles – however, this is very rare, occurring in only one in every 25,000 cases of measles

Pregnancy complications

If you are not immune to measles and you become infected while you are pregnant, there is a risk of:

• a miscarriage
• stillbirth
• your baby being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)
• your baby having a low birthweight

If you’re pregnant and you think you’ve come into contact with someone with measles and you know you’re not immune, you should see your GP as soon as possible. Your GP can advise you about treatment to reduce your risk of developing measles. Read more about preventing measles.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can be very unpleasant and can sometimes lead to serious complications. However, it’s now uncommon in the UK because of the effectiveness of the MMR vaccination.

The initial symptoms of measles develop around 10 days after you are infected. These can include:

• cold-like symptoms
• red eyes and sensitivity to light
• a high temperature (fever)
• greyish white spots in the mouth and throat

After a few days, a red-brown spotty rash will appear. This usually starts behind the ears and then spreads around the head and neck before spreading to the rest of the body.

Read more about the symptoms of measles.

When to see your GP

You should contact your GP as soon as possible if you suspect that you or your child may have measles.

It’s best to phone before your visit as your GP surgery may need to make arrangements to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Your GP will usually be able to diagnose measles from the combination of symptoms, although a sample of your saliva may be tested to confirm the diagnosis.

How measles is spread

The measles virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

You can easily catch measles by breathing in these droplets or, if the droplets have settled on a surface, by touching the surface and then placing your hands near your nose or mouth. The measles virus can survive on surfaces for a few hours.

When inside your body, the virus multiplies in the back of your throat and lungs before spreading throughout your body.

People with measles are infectious from when the first symptoms develop until about four days after the rash first appears. Therefore, school or work should be avoided for at least four days from when the rash first appeared to limit the spread of infection.

Who is affected

Anyone can get measles if they haven’t been vaccinated or they haven’t had it before, although it’s most common in children between one and four years old.

Once you have had measles, it is very rare to develop the infection again in the future because your body builds up immunity (resistance) to the virus.

How to prevent measles

The most effective way of preventing measles is to have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The first MMR vaccination is routinely given when your child is around 13 months old and a second is given before your child starts school.

Adults and 6-13 month old children can also have the MMR vaccine if they are at risk of catching measles. For example, vaccination may be recommended if there is an outbreak of measles in your local area, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has measles.

Read more about preventing measles.

Treating measles

There’s no specific treatment for measles, but your immune system should fight off the infection within 7-10 days.

There are several things you can do to help make your recovery more comfortable, including:

• closing the curtains to help reduce light sensitivity
• using damp cotton wool to clean the eyes
• taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve fever, aches and pains (aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years old)
• drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration

In severe cases of measles, especially if there are complications, you may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment.

Read more about treating measles.

Complications of measles

Measles can lead to very serious complications that can sometimes be fatal. These include bacterial infection in the lungs (pneumonia) and the brain (encephalitis).

People most at risk of developing serious complications include babies younger than 12 months, children in poor health, teenagers and adults.

It’s estimated that around one in every 5,000 people with measles will die as a result of a serious complication.

Read more about the complications of measles.

The best way to avoid catching measles is to have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine is part of the routine childhood vaccination programme. One dose is usually given to a child when they are 12-13 months old and a second dose is given before they start school, usually between three and five years old.

Contact your GP if you are uncertain about whether your child’s vaccinations are up to date.

Adults and children who are 6-13 months old can also have the MMR vaccine if they are at risk of catching measles. For example, vaccination may be recommended if there is an outbreak of measles in your local area, you have been in close contact with someone who has measles, or you are planning on travelling to an area where the infection is widespread.

Children who have the vaccine before their first birthday should still have the two routine doses at around 13 months of age and before they start school.

If you are not sure whether you were vaccinated in the past, having the MMR vaccine again will not cause you any harm.

Children under six months

The MMR vaccine is not recommended for babies aged under six months. If the child’s mother has had measles in the past, the child will usually have some antibodies to measles already in their system, passed on from their mum at the time of birth. These antibodies may give them some protection for the first few months after they are born.

If their mother has not had measles before getting pregnant, a child under six months old may be given an injection of human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG) if they have a weakened immune system. HNIG is not a vaccine. It is a special concentration of antibodies that can give short-term but immediate protection against measles.

Pregnant women

If you’re planning to get pregnant and you have not had measles in the past, talk to your GP about having the MMR vaccine.

The MMR vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy, so you may be offered a HNIG injection instead if there is a risk you have been exposed to the measles virus while you are pregnant.

Limiting the spread of infection

While you have measles, it is important to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to other people.

If you or your child have the condition, you should avoid work or school for at least four days from when you first developed the measles rash.

You should also try to avoid contact with people who are more vulnerable to the infection, such as young children and pregnant women.

The Map of Medicine is used by doctors throughout the NHS to determine the best treatment options for their patients. NHS Choices offers everyone in England exclusive and free access to this cutting-edge internet resource, which lets you see exactly what your doctor sees.

The information in the Map has been approved by the UK’s leading clinical experts, is based on the best available clinical evidence, and is continually updated. To take advantage of this unique resource go to:

Map of Medicine: measles

The initial symptoms of measles usually appear around 10 days after you become infected and disappear about 7-10 days later.

The initial symptoms can include:

• cold-like symptoms – such as a runny nose, watery eyes, swollen eyelids and sneezing
• red eyes and sensitivity to light
• a high temperature (fever), which may peak at around 40°C (104°F)
• tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy
• aches and pains
• dry cough
• tiny greyish-white spots (called Koplik’s spots) in the mouth and throat
• loss of appetite

The initial symptoms of measles are then followed by a red-brown spotty rash that develops a few days later.

The measles rash

The measles rash appears two to four days after the initial symptoms and lasts about a week.

The spots usually start behind the ears, before spreading outwards to the head, neck and rest of the body over the next few days.

The spots are initially small but quickly get bigger and often join together. Similar-looking rashes may be mistaken for measles, but measles has a range of other symptoms too, not just a rash.

Use the childhood conditions slideshow to see what the measles rash looks like.

When to seek medical advice

You should contact your GP as soon as possible if you suspect that you or your child have measles.

It’s best to phone before your visit as your GP surgery may need to make arrangements to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Your GP will usually be able to diagnose measles from the combination of symptoms, although a sample of your saliva may be tested to confirm the diagnosis.

There is no specific treatment for measles, but the condition usually improves without treatment within 7-10 days.

Relieving symptoms

If the symptoms of measles are causing discomfort for you or your child, there are some things you can do to treat these while you wait for your immune system to fight off the virus.

Controlling fever and relieving pain

If necessary, paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to reduce a high temperature (fever) and treat any aches or pains. Liquid infant paracetamol can be used for young children. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years old.

Speak to your pharmacist if you are not sure which medications are suitable for your child.

Drink plenty of fluids

If you child has a high temperature, make sure they drink plenty of fluid because they may be at risk of dehydration. Keeping hydrated will also help reduce discomfort caused by coughing.

Treating sore eyes

You can gently clean away any crustiness from your eyelids and lashes using cotton wool soaked in water.

Closing curtains or dimming lights can help reduce any light sensitivity.

Treating cold-like symptoms

If you have cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose or a cough, there are a number of things you can do to feel more comfortable.

For example, steam inhalation may offer some relief from a cough. This involves sitting with your head over a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over your head, close your eyes and breathe deeply, while trying not to get the hot steam in your eyes.

Steam inhalation is not advised for children because of the risk of scalding, but it might help your child if they sit in a hot, steamy bathroom. Alternatively, putting a wet towel on a warm radiator will release more water into the air.

Giving your child warm drinks, particularly ones containing lemon or honey, may also help to relax their airways, loosen mucus and soothe a cough. However, honey should not be given to babies under 12 months.

Limiting the spread of infection

While you have measles, it is important to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to other people.

If you or your child have the condition, you should avoid work or school for at least four days from when you first developed the measles rash.

You should also try to avoid contact with people who are more vulnerable to the infection, such as young children and pregnant women.

Spotting signs of serious illness

If you or your child have been diagnosed with measles, you should keep an eye out for any signs of the serious complications that can develop while your body is trying to clear the infection.

Signs of a more serious problem can include:

• shortness of breath
• a sharp chest pain that feels worse with breathing
• coughing up blood
• drowsiness
• confusion
• convulsions (fits)

Visit your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department or called 999 for an ambulance if you or your child develop any of these symptoms as they may be a sign of a serious bacterial infection requiring admission to hospital and treatment with antibiotics.

Read more about the complications of measles.