It can take 10-12 days between being exposed to measles and your first symptoms.

Symptoms include:

• Fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Conjunctivitis 

• Small white spots inside the mouth 

• Rash (appears 2-4 days after first symptoms, beginning at hairline then spreading down the body)

Treatment for measles 

There is no specific treatment for measles, but hospitalisation is necessary for approximately 10% of those infected due to complications.

RISKS FROM MEASLES

Severe complications from measles are possible, especially for those most vulnerable: tamariki, the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised. Some people are unable to receive measles vaccination due to health conditions or age, putting them at greater risk from measles.

Measles infection can be fatal, especially due to pneumonia brought on by measles. 

Contracting measles lessens your body's ability to fight other infections for several years. 

Ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia as a result of a measles infection are all common. 

Other severe complications can include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain, which can cause permanent brain damage or death), subacute sclerosing panencephalitis/SSPE (fatal degenerative brain disease), immune thrombocytopenic purpura/ITP (blood clotting problem), and inflammation of the lungs, heart, kidneys, or liver. 

Measles during hapūtanga/pregnancy can cause miscarriage or premature labour. 

Death occurs in about 1 in 1,000 measles cases.