Measles are characterized by typical symptoms. The main symptom is the conspicuous skin rash. In the course of the disease, two successive stages can be distinguished:
The initial or preliminary stage at which flu-like symptoms occur, and
The subsequent stage of skin rash.
Other symptoms typical of measles are the two fever increases in the course of the disease (so-called two-ply fever):
The first fever rise during the predecessor stage.
After the temperature has fallen, the fever rises a relatively long time with the appearance of the skin rash.
Preliminary stage (prodromal stage)
Typical for the precursor stage of the measles are general, rather flu-like symptoms.
Other symptoms characteristic of measles are changes in the mucous membrane of the mouth: from the second to the third day, they appear on the cheeks' mucous membrane in the form of whitish lime-like, firmly adherent pads surrounded by a reddened courtyard. These changes are called Koplik spots. On the third day of the disease, the rest of the mouth and throat mucosa become red. At this time, the fever is increasing sharply for the first time.
The preliminary stage takes about three to four days. At the end of this stage, body temperature drops back to normal levels.
Stage of skin rash (exanthema)
With a second steep fever rise, the main stage of the measles announces itself. The symptoms of the precursor are intensified.
Additionally occurs now
Dark red, large spotted, irregularly limited skin rash (exanthema).
He starts behind the ears and
Then spreads over face and neck.
After three days the rash also covers the trunk as well as the arms and legs - palms and soles are not affected. Skin rash occurs because the measles viruses damage blood vessels and make them more permeable.
When the skin rash on the fourth day reaches the feet, the fever usually drops again. If no complications occur, the measles sufferers recover as soon as the eruption subsides. The skin scales as the rash fades. At the same time, the other measles symptoms also slowly recede. The recovery phase lasts approximately two weeks.
special shapes
Occasionally, special forms of measles occur. This includes:
The weakened measles as well as
The sudden onset of measles.
Weakened measles
The weakened measles occur when the body's defense system can not adequately control the infection, for example because there are too few antibodies against the measles virus available. This is the case in infants from the ninth month, which are then no longer adequately protected by the maternal antibodies.
In rare cases, attenuated measles also occur in vaccinated children, or if an existing infection is too late or too little antibody is given as a drug.
Typical for the weakened form of measles: after the infection, it takes longer for the disease to break out (prolonged incubation) and the symptoms become milder. In addition, the disease is more rapid.
Sudden onset of measles
In rare cases measles begin suddenly and are very difficult. Doctors then call them foudroyante measles. This form occurs mainly in the case of weakened immune defense. The time between infection and onset of the disease (incubation period) is shortened and the symptoms are particularly severe.
Typical signs of foudroyante measles are:
Longer lasting high fever (above 40 ° C),
Cramps,
Skin and mucous membrane hemorrhage as well as a
Suddenly fading skin rash due to a circulatory shock.
In severe cases, this form of measles may be fatal.
The initial or preliminary stage at which flu-like symptoms occur, and
The subsequent stage of skin rash.
Other symptoms typical of measles are the two fever increases in the course of the disease (so-called two-ply fever):
The first fever rise during the predecessor stage.
After the temperature has fallen, the fever rises a relatively long time with the appearance of the skin rash.
Preliminary stage (prodromal stage)
Typical for the precursor stage of the measles are general, rather flu-like symptoms.
Other symptoms characteristic of measles are changes in the mucous membrane of the mouth: from the second to the third day, they appear on the cheeks' mucous membrane in the form of whitish lime-like, firmly adherent pads surrounded by a reddened courtyard. These changes are called Koplik spots. On the third day of the disease, the rest of the mouth and throat mucosa become red. At this time, the fever is increasing sharply for the first time.
The preliminary stage takes about three to four days. At the end of this stage, body temperature drops back to normal levels.
Stage of skin rash (exanthema)
With a second steep fever rise, the main stage of the measles announces itself. The symptoms of the precursor are intensified.
Additionally occurs now
Dark red, large spotted, irregularly limited skin rash (exanthema).
He starts behind the ears and
Then spreads over face and neck.
After three days the rash also covers the trunk as well as the arms and legs - palms and soles are not affected. Skin rash occurs because the measles viruses damage blood vessels and make them more permeable.
When the skin rash on the fourth day reaches the feet, the fever usually drops again. If no complications occur, the measles sufferers recover as soon as the eruption subsides. The skin scales as the rash fades. At the same time, the other measles symptoms also slowly recede. The recovery phase lasts approximately two weeks.
special shapes
Occasionally, special forms of measles occur. This includes:
The weakened measles as well as
The sudden onset of measles.
Weakened measles
The weakened measles occur when the body's defense system can not adequately control the infection, for example because there are too few antibodies against the measles virus available. This is the case in infants from the ninth month, which are then no longer adequately protected by the maternal antibodies.
In rare cases, attenuated measles also occur in vaccinated children, or if an existing infection is too late or too little antibody is given as a drug.
Typical for the weakened form of measles: after the infection, it takes longer for the disease to break out (prolonged incubation) and the symptoms become milder. In addition, the disease is more rapid.
Sudden onset of measles
In rare cases measles begin suddenly and are very difficult. Doctors then call them foudroyante measles. This form occurs mainly in the case of weakened immune defense. The time between infection and onset of the disease (incubation period) is shortened and the symptoms are particularly severe.
Typical signs of foudroyante measles are:
Longer lasting high fever (above 40 ° C),
Cramps,
Skin and mucous membrane hemorrhage as well as a
Suddenly fading skin rash due to a circulatory shock.
In severe cases, this form of measles may be fatal.
