Claim: Measles complications occur in about 30% of people

Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus . Initial signs and symptoms typically include fever , often greater than 40 C , cough , runny nose , and inflamed eyes . Two or three days after the start of symptoms , small white spots may form inside the mouth , known as Koplik 's spots . A red , flat rash which usually starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body typically begins three to five days after the start of symptoms . Symptoms usually develop 10 -- 12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7 -- 10 days . Complications occur in about 30 % and may include diarrhea , blindness , inflammation of the brain , and pneumonia among others . Rubella -LRB- German measles -RRB- and roseola are different diseases .   Measles is an airborne disease which spreads easily through the coughs and sneezes of those infected . It may also be spread through contact with saliva or nasal secretions . Nine out of ten people who are not immune and share living space with an infected person will catch it . People are infectious to others from four days before to four days after the start of the rash . People usually do not get the disease more than once . Testing for the virus in suspected cases is important for public health efforts .   The measles vaccine is effective at preventing the disease . Vaccination has resulted in a 75 % decrease in deaths from measles between 2000 and 2013 with about 85 % of children globally being currently vaccinated . No specific treatment is available . Supportive care may improve outcomes . This may include giving oral rehydration solution -LRB- slightly sweet and salty fluids -RRB- , healthy food , and medications to control the fever . Antibiotics may be used if a secondary bacterial infection such as pneumonia occurs . Vitamin A supplementation is also recommended in the developing world .   Measles affects about 20 million people a year , primarily in the developing areas of Africa and Asia . It causes the most vaccine-preventable deaths of any disease . It resulted in about 73,000 deaths in 2014 , down from 545,000 deaths in 1990 . In 1980 , the disease was estimated to have caused 2.6 million deaths per year . Most of those who are infected and who die are less than five years old . The risk of death among those infected is usually 0.2 % , but may be up to 10 % in those who have malnutrition . It is not believed to affect other animals . Before immunization in the United States , between three and four million cases occurred each year . As a result of widespread vaccination , the disease was eliminated from the Americas by 2016 .