What measles symptoms look like

TL;DR:

Measles starts with high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.
Small white mouth spots can show 2 to 3 days after symptoms start.
A blotchy rash spreads from face to feet around day 3 to 5.
Watch for danger signs like breathing trouble or confusion.
Call a clinician if you suspect measles. Isolate to avoid spread.

Measles is a contagious viral illness. Symptoms build over days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most people first get a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. These early signs appear about 7 to 14 days after exposure.

Tiny white spots called Koplik spots may appear inside the cheeks 2 to 3 days after the first symptoms. They look like grains of salt on a red base. Not everyone will notice them, but they are classic for measles.

Around day 3 to 5 of illness, a blotchy rash breaks out. It starts on the face and behind the ears, then moves down the body to the trunk, arms, and legs. Fever often spikes when the rash appears.

The World Health Organization describes the same pattern worldwide. Initial symptoms are high fever, runny nose, cough, and red eyes. A rash follows a few days later and spreads downward.

How the rash looks on different skin tones

On lighter skin, the rash often looks red or pink. On darker skin, it can appear deep red, purple, or brown, and may be easier to feel than see. Focus on the pattern, not just the color. The rash starts on the face and spreads in a head-to-toe wave.

Symptom timeline at a glance

Use this as a quick guide. Day counts are from the start of symptoms, not exposure.

Stage	Typical timing	What you may notice
Incubation	7–14 days after exposure	No symptoms yet
Prodrome	Days 1–3	High fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes
Mouth spots	Days 2–3	Tiny white Koplik spots inside cheeks
Rash begins	Days 3–5	Blotchy rash starts on face, fever may spike
Rash spreads	Next 3–4 days	Rash moves down the body, patient is very contagious
Recovery	About 1–2 weeks	Rash fades in the same order, cough and fatigue can linger

This timeline aligns with guidance from the CDC, WHO, and the NHS.

Common symptoms in detail

Fever. High fever is common and can exceed 104 F, especially as the rash appears. Keep hydrated and use fever reducers as advised by a clinician.

Cough and runny nose. The cough is dry. The nose may be very runny. These signs make measles easy to mistake for a bad cold at first.

Red, watery eyes. Eyes may be sore and light sensitive. Avoid contact lenses during illness.

Koplik spots. Look for small whitish spots on the inner cheeks. They may fade once the rash is fully out.

Rash. The rash is maculopapular, meaning flat and raised spots. It tends to merge as it spreads. On darker skin, focus on texture and spread, not only color.

Warning signs that need urgent care

Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department if any of these occur:

Trouble breathing or fast breathing.
Blue lips or face.
Confusion, drowsiness, seizures, or severe headache.
Chest pain or severe dehydration.
In infants under 6 months, any suspected measles.

These signs can signal pneumonia or brain swelling, which are known complications.

Who gets sicker

Severe illness is more likely in:

Children under 5 years.
Adults over 20 years.
Pregnant people.
Anyone with a weak immune system.

Measles can suppress the immune system for weeks to years, raising the risk of other infections even after recovery. This is one reason follow-up care matters.

How long you are contagious

People with measles are contagious from 4 days before the rash to 4 days after it starts. Isolate during this window. Limit contact with infants, pregnant people, and those with weak immune systems.

What to do if you think you have measles

Isolate now. Stay home and away from others. Use a separate room if you live with family. Keep doors or windows open for airflow if safe.
Call before visiting. Phone your doctor, clinic, or local health service. Tell them you suspect measles so they can arrange safe testing.
Confirm your vaccine history. Share any MMR records you have. If you are not vaccinated, tell your clinician.
Manage fever and fluids. Use age-appropriate fever reducers if advised, drink fluids, and rest.
Watch for warning signs. Seek urgent care if danger signs appear.

Measles symptoms vs other common illnesses

Measles vs a cold. Measles brings higher fever and a spreading rash. Colds do not cause Koplik spots or a classic face-first rash.
Measles vs roseola. Roseola rash often shows after the fever breaks, and it starts on the trunk. Measles rash starts on the face while fever often spikes.
Measles vs allergic rash. Allergy rashes itch more and do not come with high fever, cough, and red eyes together.

Checklist: do I need to call a clinician today?

Fever and cough with red eyes.
Rash that began on the face and is spreading down.
Mouth spots inside the cheeks.
No known MMR vaccination, or only one dose.
Recent travel or exposure to a known case.

If you tick two or more, call a clinician and isolate while you wait for advice. Public health teams can guide testing and contacts.

When symptoms last or come back

Cough and fatigue can last for two weeks or more. If you or your child seem to be getting worse after the rash fades, call a clinician. Rarely, measles can lead to long-term nervous system problems such as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which appears years after infection. It is rare, but it is another reason to prevent infection in the first place.

Why it matters

Measles spreads very easily through the air. One sick person can infect many others in a room. Knowing the early symptoms and the day-by-day pattern helps you act fast, protect family, and reduce spread. Two doses of MMR offer strong protection, but if you still get sick, early care lowers the risk of severe outcomes.