There are two stages in measles.

1. Pre–eruptive or Initial stage.
2. Eruptive stage or rash stage.

Pre–eruptive stage or initial stage (10 days after infection, lasts for 14 days).

• Fever.
• Coryza (with sneezing and nasal discharge).
• Redness of eyes.
• Cough.
• Lacrimation (watering of eyes).
• Photophobia (intolerance of light).
• Koplik’s spots appear on the buccal mucosa opposite the first and second upper molars.  They are small, bluish white spots on a red base, smaller than the head of a pin.

Eruptive stage or rash stage
Typical dusky red rash which begins behind the ears, and within a few hours spreads over the face and neck, and slowly extends down the body.

Diagnosis of Measles

• Classic measles is diagnosed when a child develops cough, cold and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
• Koplik’s spots and skin rash.
• Leucopoenia (a low white blood cell count) is common.