Measles is a disease that is caused by a germ called a virus. Children get measles most often, but adults can get it, too. Adults tend to have more severe cases.

Measles spreads very easily from person to person. When a person with measles coughs or sneezes, the virus spreads into the air. People who breathe in the virus are infected.

The first symptoms, or signs, of measles appear about 10 days after a person is infected with the virus. At first measles is like a severe cold. The infected person has a runny nose, a fever, and red, watery eyes. Then bluish white spots appear on the insides of the cheeks. The fever gets higher, and a red rash appears on the face and behind the ears. The rash then spreads to the rest of the body.

Measles usually goes away after a few days. In some people, however, it can lead to more serious health problems. These include pneumonia and encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.

There is no drug to fight measles. A person with the disease must get plenty of rest and drink a lot of fluids. People can prevent measles by getting a shot of a substance called a vaccine. The vaccine protects the body from the measles virus.

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