Measles is caused by morbillivirus, which is mostly seen in the winter and spring. It’s spread from one child to another through direct contact with discharge from the nose and throat. Sometimes, it is spread through airborne droplets (from a cough or sneeze) from an infected child.

What happens if you get measles?

Once you have had measles, your body builds up resistance (immunity) to the virus and it’s highly unlikely you’ll get it again. But it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications in some people. These include infections of the lungs (pneumonia) and brain (encephalitis).

Types of measles
Standard measles, sometimes known as red measles, or hard measles, is caused by the rubeola virus.German measles, also known as rubella, is an entirely separate illness caused by the rubella virus and is usually a milder infection than standard measles.

What measles does to the body?

Measles is a very contagious respiratory infection. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. Measles is rare in the United States thanks to widespread immunization. But millions of cases happen worldwide every year.

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms.