This viral infection is typically mild in children but may be serious if acquired from an infected mother during the first few weeks of pregnancy (called congenital rubella syndrome). Like other infections, prior to routine vaccinations, there were rubella epidemics every 6-9 years affecting mostly preschool and school-aged children. Rubella is also known as German measles, or 3-day measles. For immunocompromised kids, ribavirin may be given. Treatment for measles is focused on supportive care measures, such as increased fluid intake, medications for fever, and airway humidification. Other uncommon but associated symptoms include ear infections, pneumonia, sinusitis, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, febrile seizures, and inflammation of the brain (called encephalitis). During outbreaks, confirmation of measles may be done through blood tests. Patients with measles are typically diagnosed based on their clinical history and physical exam findings, as well as a known history of measles cases in the local area. These include children less than 5 years old, those who live or stay in crowded areas, those with severe malnutrition or low serum retinol levels, the immunocompromised, and patients with malignancies. Some patients are more at risk of developing measles. Cough usually lasts the longest, up to 10 days from the start of symptoms. At this point, other symptoms start to decrease or resolve gradually. After about 2-4 days, a rash may appear, starting behind the ears and at the hairline, spreading downwards through the chest and towards the arms and legs. Measles infection starts with a prodrome of symptoms, such as high-grade fever, cough, a runny nose, and red eyes. Children who are infected may pass on the virus to other people from 3 days before up to 6 days after the first day of the rash. The measles virus is typically transmissible through the air (droplets or aerosols). Despite the introduction of the vaccine, minor outbreaks were still seen from 1989-1991 and in 2014. Measles used to be a common and serious infection, affecting nearly 90% of children during the pre-measles vaccine era. Let’s take a look at the most common causes of a fever and rash. With the help of vaccines, serious effects of these conditions have been rarely seen. There are several infections causing these symptoms.

The combination of fever and rash is frequently seen in children.

Pinpoint rash on trunk