A high fever and a red rash covering most of the body develops in almost every case. Measles can also cause pneumonia, deafness, and inflammation of the brain and death. Anyone, regardless of age, who has not had measles or has no been adequately immunized may get the disease.
Most cases occur in unimmunized preschoolers and young adults.
Measles is spread through the air by droplets from the nose, throat, and mouth of an infected person by coughing, sneezing, or simply talking. Measles causes a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a red rash moving from the face to the rest of the body. The symptoms may last from 1 to 2 weeks. An infected person is able to spread measles from 4 days before the rash starts to 4 days after the rash appears. One attack of measles provides protection for life.