This highly contagious viral infection causes a rash and fever and can lead to more serious complications.
What is it?
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease caused by Morbillivirus. Due to widespread immunisation, cases of measles are low, However cases still continue to occur in Australia and in many parts of the world it remains common.
If you are not immune to measles, you can catch the disease while travelling to these parts of the world and bring it back into Australia and spread it to others.
What are the symptoms?
Measles symptoms generally occur 10 to 14 days after infection and can include:
- fever
- generally feeling unwell
- cough
- head cold symptoms
- sore and red eyes (conjunctivitis)
- red flat rash that usually starts on the face and neck, and then spreads to the rest of the body
- red and bluish spots inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots).
Complications of measles can include ear infection, pneumonia (lung swelling), diarrhoea and less commonly, swelling of the brain. During pregnancy, measles infection can lead to miscarriage or premature delivery.
This is not a full list of symptoms that can occur following measles infection. Please speak to a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about measles infection.
How is it spread?
Measles is highly contagious, one infected person can go on to infect 9 out of 10 people they come into contact with, if those people have not been immunised or previously infected1.
The virus spreads from person to person through the air, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can also become infected by touching a contaminated surface or object and then touching your nose or mouth.
People infected with measles can be contagious from when they begin to get initial symptoms and for up to four days after the rash has appeared.
Who is at risk?
Those at higher risk include:
- children
- adolescents and adults (born during or since 1966)
- health care workers
- travellers
- those who have not been immunised against measles
People at higher risk of potentially fatal complications include those with a chronic illness, children younger than 5 years and adults.
Other people may be at risk of measles infection. Please speak to a healthcare professional regarding your individual circumstances.
References
- Measles, Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/measles (accessed October 2020)
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PM-AU-AVX-WCNT-190040 Date of GSK Approval: January 2021