Toward the end of this period, tiny, bluish-gray specks encircled by red appear in the mouth. A day or two after their appearance, the temperature shoots up, the oral spots slough off, and an itchy rash appears behind the ears and on the neck and cheeks. The final stage of measles is marked by a high fever, puffy, red eyes, extensive rash, and a severe cough. Treatment of measles consists of bed rest and isolation. The disease is transmitted in the saliva of an infected person and has an incubation period of 14 to 24 days.
Mumps begins with a headache, muscle pain, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, and malaise.
The next wave of symptoms includes an earache, along with swelling and tenderness in the parotid, and, possibly, other salivary glands. Possible complications include swelling and inflammation of the testicles in males past puberty, abdominal pain, nausea, fever, vomiting, and chills. Meningitis develops in about 10 percent of the cases, but does not usually lead to long-term problems. Treatment for mumps includes acetaminophen to ease the pain and fever and adequate fluid intake. If swallowing is difficult, it may be necessary to replace the fluids intravenously.