Sometimes chickenpox in pregnancy can cause miscarriage or the baby may be born with chicken pox Measles Incubation period 7 - 12 days Infectious period From a few days before the rash appears until 5 days after it goes. Symptoms Begins like a bad cold and cough with sore, watery eyes. Child becomes gradually more unwell, with a temperature. Rash appears after third or fourth day. Begins behind the ears, and spreads to the face and neck and then the rest of the body.
Children can become very unwell, with cough and high temperature.
The illness usually lasts about a week. If your child is unwell give him or her rest and plenty to drink. Warm drinks will ease the cough. Paracetamol will ease discomfort and lower the temperature. Vaseline around the lips protects the skin.