Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home

Measles Overview

group of school kids

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. The disease of measles and the virus that causes it share the same name. The disease is also called rubeola.

Measles causes fever, runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body. About one out of 10 children with measles also gets an ear infection, and up to one out of 20 gets pneumonia. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die. Other rash-causing diseases often confused with measles include roseola (roseola infantum) and rubella (German measles)...more

Measles Information for Kids

measles virus

The measles virus first grows, unseen inside the throat and/or lungs. Then symptoms you can see start showing up...more (288 KB, 1 page)

Measles Photos

Photos of Measles and People with Measles

Histopathology of measles pneumonia, (Giant cell with intracytoplasmic inclusions.) Eyes of a child with measles.picture of measles

More

Measles Outbreaks

doctor examining patient
  • Measles—United States, 2011 MMWR. 20 April 2012
    During 2011, 222 people in the United States were reported to have measles. There were 17 measles outbreaks in various U.S. communities.
  • 2012 Measles Update Measles information for U.S. travelers and citizens living in other countries.
  • Podcast: Measles Can Travel Podcast about a 2007 measles outbreak in the U.S. and steps that can be taken to prevent future outbreaks.

More

External Web Site Policy This symbol means you are leaving the CDC.gov Web site. For more information, please see CDC's Exit Notification and Disclaimer policy.

Copyrighted images: Images on this website which are copyrighted were used with permission of the copyright holder and are not in the public domain. CDC has licensed these images for use in the materials provided on this website, and the materials in the form presented on this website may be used without seeking further permission. Any other use of copyrighted images requires permission from the copyright holder.

 

CDC Commentary: Don’t Give In and Give Those Antibiotics!

Contact Us:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    1600 Clifton Rd
    Atlanta, GA 30333
  • 800-CDC-INFO
    (800-232-4636)
    TTY: (888) 232-6348
  • New Hours of Operation
    8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
    Closed Holidays
  • cdcinfo@cdc.gov
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - Contact CDC–INFO
A-Z Index
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #