People who may have been exposed should also contact their health care providers if they develop a rash with fever or other symptoms consistent with measles within 21 days after their visit to these locations. It is recommended that anyone with symptoms contact a health care provider's office before entering a health care facility to allow the facility to make appropriate arrangements to ensure the illness is not spread.
Symptoms can begin up to 21 days after exposure to the virus. On average, an infected patient will develop a fever about 10 days after exposure to the virus. The fever can last two to four days and can peak as high as 103 F to 105 F. Following this, people will often also develop a runny nose, cough, and/or red eyes. On average, about 14 days after exposure the telltale rash appears; the rash can last five to six days. It begins at the hairline, moves to the face and neck, and eventually reaches the hands and feet. Measles can spread approximately four days before the rash appears and four days after.
People more likely to suffer from complications include children younger than five years of age, pregnant women, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. When measles is spread among susceptible people, it can result in serious infections resulting in pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, and death. Many people born before 1957 had the disease in childhood, and younger people are routinely vaccinated against it.
