Measles

Please note

This page is only intended for children who have already been diagnosed with measles. If your child has not been diagnosed with measles, but has a rash, please refer to our rashes symptom page. View rashes symptom page

There has been a recent rise in measles cases in the UK (January 24). Measles is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can spread very easily.

You can protect your child by making sure they get 2 doses of the MMR vaccine. Normally the 1st is given at 12 months and the 2nd around 3 years 5 months old. Even if you or your children have missed these vaccines, it’s not too late to get them. Contact your GP practice.

If your child has had both doses of their MMR vaccine, there is almost no chance of them getting measles (unless they have a severely weakened immune system).

What are the symptoms?

Measles starts with:

fever
red, sore, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
runny nose
cough

After a few days:

Small white spots may appear inside their mouth and on the back of their lips
A rash. The rash starts on the face and behind the ears. It then spreads all over the body. The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and often join together to form blotchy patches. They are not usually itchy. The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin

Measles usually starts to get better on its own in about a week. Most children do not need to come to A&E or stay in hospital.

A small number of children will develop complications because of measles. This includes:

Earache
Diarrhoea and dehydration
Difficulties breathing
Confusion or changes in conscious level

The people most at risk from these are children under 5 years of age and adults over 20 years of age who have not had their measles vaccinations, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems.

Notice to parents

If your child has been diagnosed with measles, they cannot go back to school or nursery for 4 full days after the start of the rash, as measles can be easily spread to others. They should also avoid contact with babies, pregnant women, people who have not had 2 doses of MMR vaccine an people with weak immune systems.

When should I worry and what should I do?

Call 999 or go to A&E now if your child:

Your child is having difficulty breathing

Your child may require emergency treatment. You should call 999 or take them to your nearest Children’s A&E where they can be assessed.

There are long pauses (more than 10 seocnds when your child breathes)

Your child may require emergency treatment. You should call 999 or take them to your nearest Children’s A&E where they can be assessed.

Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch

Your child may require emergency treatment. You should call 999 or take them to your nearest Children’s A&E where they can be assessed.

Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused

Your child may require emergency treatment. You should call 999 or take them to your nearest Children’s A&E where they can be assessed.

Has a fit (seizure)

Your child may require emergency treatment. You should call 999 or take them to your nearest Children’s A&E where they can be assessed.

Is under 3 months old with temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C

Your child may require emergency treatment. You should call 999 or take them to your nearest Children’s A&E where they can be assessed.