Catching measles early: A quick guide to symptoms

Have you been hearing about "measles" and wondering about it?

We’ve seen some cases across the United States lately, and this is a very contagious virus.

Originating thousands of years ago, measles has a distinctive rash. The rash, however, doesn’t occur until maybe day five after what looks like a cold or flu illness.

Unlike the flu, measles is picky, targeting only humans. It doesn’t infect animals. Highly contagious, it spreads through the air, making it a sneaky invader. Though the thought might send shivers down your spine, fear not! Cases are rare, with only 35 reported in various states so far in 2024. Contrast that with 1,274 cases in 2019. So, I don’t want to frighten anyone; just inform you about symptoms so you can spot it right away and keep your kids at home.

Knowledge is power. Recognizing symptoms early can make all the difference.

Here's the lowdown: Symptoms kick in about 10 to 14 days after exposure, mimicking a cold or flu. Look out for a high fever (like 103 or 104 degrees Fahrenheit); runny nose; cough; sore throat; red, watery eyes; and the tell-tale tiny white spots in the mouth.

As the disease progresses, a rash joins the scene, with a fever that refuses to quit! It can remain for the whole duration of the illness.

Feeling tired, losing your appetite and wanting to sleep is pretty typical. Measles could be the culprit. But, here's the kicker: not everyone will feel the full brunt of these symptoms, and some might dodge the bullet altogether and never even catch it! That’s good news.

Some of us are naturally shielded. So, some people don’t get measles even after they’ve been exposed to it because they’ve either had it in the past so they have natural immunity, or they received an MMR vaccination, or maybe they just have a superhero immune system to fight it off! Either way, exposure does not guarantee sickness.

In the spirit of keeping it light, because I hate to invoke fear, remember: if you or your little ones are under the weather, play it safe and keep them at home. They are contagious before the rash even makes its grand entrance!

Measles can spread like wildfire during what seems like just a harmless cold with sniffles. So, an individual is probably most contagious before the tell-tale body rash appears!

So, let's wrap this up with a reminder about the high fever that always accompanies measles … be careful. Don't go it alone. Seeking medical advice is your best bet! That’s because complications can arise like pneumonia, an earache or encephalitis.

By staying informed and cautious, we can keep measles at bay, one sneeze at a time.

Early detection and a call to your pediatrician or family care specialist can help prevent the drama from escalating. Also, if you’d like to read a longer version, I will post more about measles and remedies at my website, suzycohen.com. Please share this article with people you love.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Catching measles early: A quick guide to symptoms