Measles symptoms in adults include a red rash, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, earaches, and pneumonia. Treatment involves rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medication. Vaccinations are effective in preventing measles, and those who have not been vaccinated should consider it.
The most obvious symptom of measles in adults is usually a red, blotchy rash. Some other flu-like symptoms sometimes accompany measles, and some patients also experience or develop diarrhea, earaches or infections, and pneumonia. As long as no complications arise, treating measles in adults is mostly a home process involving over-the-counter medications, fluids, and rest. Vaccinations for adults are effective in preventing and sometimes stopping measles. Even if an infected person does not seek professional medical attention, he or she should inform their doctor of the disease so that local health departments can be alert.
Symptoms of the rash begin to appear anywhere between one to two weeks after infection. Probably the most visible indicator of measles in adults is the rash that accompanies the disease. The rash may appear three to five days after symptoms appear. This means that a measles rash develops somewhere between ten and nineteen days after infection. The rash is usually red, flat, and blotchy and usually starts near the face and works its way to other parts of the body. It’s important to avoid scratching or picking at the rash, as this can help spread the disease. Adults with measles can be contagious for up to four days after the rash has disappeared.
Additional symptoms of measles are similar to symptoms of other types of diseases. For example, measles in adults can bring flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, body aches and fever. Coughing, sneezing, sore throat and runny nose are common symptoms of measles in adults. Some adults who get measles might have dry or watery eyes and sensitivity to light, and some might develop earaches, white patches lining the cheeks, and even diarrhea. The signs of measles can apply to various diseases, so to get a correct diagnosis a person experiencing symptoms should see a doctor even if the rash is not present.
Most adult measles patients are able to heal on their own. You may need some over-the-counter medications to reduce your fever and to soothe the itchy rash. The person should get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid contact with others as much as possible. If the patient develops other illnesses, such as an infection or pneumonia, a doctor might prescribe antibiotics. Although many cases of measles in adults can resolve on their own with proper care, the person should notify their doctor so that they can be referred to the local area health department in the event of an outbreak.
Adults who have not had any of the measles vaccinations should consider getting adult vaccinations, even if they believe they have already contracted the disease. One is the MMR vaccine, which covers measles, mumps, and rubella, and the other is a single measles vaccine. Frequent travelers and people who work or attend school in public fields, such as teachers, college students, health care workers and day care workers, may need two vaccinations to ensure protection. Measles vaccinations can carry some side effects, but most are mild such as fever and redness and swelling at the injection site. Doctors generally don’t recommend vaccinations for pregnant women or people who have serious immune system problems.
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