Measles (Rubeola)

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Medical Author:

Edmond Hooker, MD, DrPH

Edmond Hooker, MD, DrPH

Dr. Eddie Hooker is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville and at Wright State University. His areas of expertise include emergency medicine, epidemiology, health-services management, and public health.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Measles is a potentially serious disease.
• Measles is due to a virus that is easily spread.
• Measles can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia, or encephalitis.
• Measles infection of the brain (encephalitis) can cause convulsions, mental retardation, and even death.
• There is currently an epidemic of measles in Europe.
• Measles in pregnant women can cause miscarriages or premature delivery.
• Measles can be prevented through vaccination.
• Each person not immunized against measles is at risk for measles and puts others at risk.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can be fatal. Although an uncommon disease in the United States of America, in 2008, measles killed 164,000 children worldwide. In most people, the disease produces fever (temperature > 101 F [38.3 C]), a generalized rash that last greater than three days, cough, runny nose (coryza), and red eyes (conjunctivitis). The complications of measles that result in most deaths include pneumonia and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).

Rubeola is the scientific name used for measles. It should not be confused with rubella (German measles).