Measles was once a common viral infection. Today, children are supposed to be vaccinated against it but with many parents signing up to the "anti-vaxxers" movement, it is making a comeback. Measles is incredibly infectious, caused by a virus, and it is quite unpleasant. Additionally, it can lead to significant complications. The vaccine against measles is highly effective, but there has been a number of outbreaks due to parents no longer allowing their children to be vaccinated. Anyone who is not vaccinated and who has not had the illness can be affected by it. In this article, we will take a look at the 10 most common symptoms of measles in children below.

The 10 Most Common Symptoms of Measles in Children:

When children develop measles, they will usually appear to have a cold. This happens around 10 days after their infection. A few days afterwards, they will develop the classic measles rash. Meanwhile, the 10 symptoms to look for are:

1. A blocked or runny nose

2. Watery eyes

3. Sneezing

4. Red, sore eyes, sometimes with some photophobia

5. Swollen eyelids

6. The mouth developing small gray to white spots

7. A fever of around 104F (40C)

8. A cough

9. Aches and pains

10. Loss of appetite

Most children will also start to feel lethargic, irritable, and tired. The spots in the mouth tend to appear around two days before the rash appears and are usually a telltale sign of the viral infection.

The Rash:

Around four days after the 10 symptoms above start to occur, the classic measles rash will appear. This usually lasts for around a week. On the first day of the rash appearing, most patients feel at their worst. The rash:

– Looks like small red to brown, slightly raised or flat spots. Sometimes, they join together, making them look like a large blotch.

– Tends to initially appear on the neck or head, after which it spreads to the rest of the body.

– Can be itchy.

– May be confused with other common childhood illnesses, including rubella, roseola, or slapped cheek syndrome.

– Should not be caused by measles in someone who has already had the illness, or who is fully vaccinated.

Do You Need a Doctor?

If you notice some of the 10 most common symptoms of measles in children in your child, you should telephone your family physician straight away, even if you are unsure about whether it is really measles or not. Tell the receptionist about your concerns, as a house call should be organized, rather than you going to the physician's office, because measles is highly infectiousness. Because this disease can have significant complications, including infertility and deafness, stopping the spread is vital. If you know that you have been in contact with someone infected with the disease and you have not had your full vaccination or have not had the condition, then you must also speak to your physician. You must do this even if you don't have symptoms, as the illness can be asymptomatic or masked as a cold for a number of days.