Measles is a very infectious disease – just a cough or sneeze can spread the virus to other people. It spreads easily and quickly among those who are not vaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools.
Measles can be very dangerous. One in five people with measles will go to hospital and in very rare cases people can die from the disease. People in certain at-risk groups including babies and young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications from measles.
Symptoms of measles appear 7-10 days after contact with the virus and include:
- a runny or blocked nose, sneezing and coughing
- red, sore watery eyes
- a high temperature (fever)
- a red/brown rash which is not itchy and usually appears after the first symptoms. The spots may be raised and form blotchy patches – and may be harder to see on darker skin tones
- small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and the back of lips for a few days.
More information about signs and symptoms of measles the MMR vaccination and what to do if you think you or a family member have measles is available on The Greater Manchester integrated Care Board website.
Please follow the links below for more information
NHS Measles Important Information For Parents And Carers (gmintegratedcare.org.uk)
