Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by measles virus. Patients with measles present with fever and with a rash. The rash looks like small, red, flat spots that start on the face/head and then spread downwards over the body. The rash does not form blisters, nor is it itchy or painful.

Other signs include cough, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and coryza (running nose). 

Complications of measles can include diarrhea, dehydration, middle ear infection, brain infection (encephalitis), blindness and death. Complications are more serious in those who catch measles as young infants (under 2 years of age), in children who are malnourished and people who are immunosuppressed.