There were about 110,000 global deaths related to (measles symptoms) measles in 2017, most of them in children under the age of 5, (measles explained) according to the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source. Measles cases have also been increasing (measles news) in the United States in recent years.
Learn more about the symptoms of measles, measles 2019 how it spreads, and how it can be prevented.
Measles - Symptoms and causes
Measles symptoms
Symptoms of measles generally first appear within 10 to 12 days (measles symptoms) of exposure to the virus. They include:
- cough
- fever
- runny nose
- red eyes
- sore throat
- white spots inside the mouth
A widespread skin rash is a classic sign of (measles 2019) measles. This rash can last up to 7 days and generally appears (English measles) within 14 days of exposure to the virus. It commonly develops on the head and (USA measles) slowly spreads to other parts of the body.
Measles causes
Measles is caused by infection with a virus from the (measles virus) paramyxovirus family. Viruses are tiny parasitic microbes. Once you’ve been infected, (measles signs) the virus invades host cells and uses cellular components to (Measles causes) complete its life cycle.
The measles virus infects the (measles virus) respiratory tract first. However, it eventually measles spreads to other parts of the body through the bloodstream.
Measles is only known to occur in humans (Measles causes) and not in other animals. There is 24Trusted Source known genetic types of measles, (Measles causes) although only 6 are currently circulating.