MEASLES
(Rubeola)
MEASLES is an acute, highly communicable viral disease.
What to Watch For
1. Fever, watery and red eyes, runny nose, dry hacking cough, bluish-white spots with red bases inside cheeks.
2. Dusky-red rash appears on 3rd or 4th day, beginning on the face, becoming generalized, lasting 4 days.
How Disease Is Spread
Measles is spread by droplet or direct contact with secretions of the nose, throat, and urine of infected persons. Indirectly and less commonly airborne. Measles is one of the most readily transmitted communicable diseases.
Incubation Period
About 10 days, varying from 8-13 days from exposure to initial fever; about 14 days until rash appears
How To Prevent
Live attenuated vaccine, a single injection of which induces active immunity in 95% of susceptible children. However, Texas state law requires two injections of the vaccine.
If your child should develop the above symptoms, please call your family physician.