What is measles?

Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious - but rare - respiratory infection that's caused by a virus. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose.

Since measles is caused by a virus, symptoms typically go away on their own without medical treatment once the virus has run its course. But while your child is sick, it's important to make sure that he or she has plenty of fluids and rest, and to keep your child from spreading the infection to others. If you have any concerns about your child's condition, talk to your child's doctor

Its a virus ....check out www.webmd.com

Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease capable of producing epidemics. Since the introduction of the measles vaccination in 1963, the number of measles cases has decreased to about 100 cases reported annually in the United States. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose.

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Measles is a viral infection most commonly found in young children who have not been immunized. However, adults can also catch measles if they have not had it before or have not been immunised against it.

It begins with fever that lasts for a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis.

The rash starts on the face and upper neck, spreads down the upper body and extends to arms, hands, legs and feet.

After about five days the rash starts to fade.

There are two types of measles鈥攂oth viruses. Rubeola which is a relatively benign childhood illness, but there is also rubella (or German measles) which can cause birth defects in the children of pregnant women.