A cold-like start — temperature, runny nose, cough and red, sore, watery eyes — followed a few days later by a rash starting on the face and behind the ears may be measles. The UK National Health Service (NHS) describes measles as an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people, best prevented by the MMRV or MMR vaccine. You are infectious from your first symptoms (about 4 days before the rash) until 4 days after it appears, so stay off nursery, school or work for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears. It usually starts to get better in about a week. Here is the NHS page on the order of symptoms, urgent criteria, complications and measles in pregnancy.
1. Cold-like symptoms → white spots in the mouth a few days later → a rash a few days after that (face and behind the ears, then the body). Usually better in about a week.
2. Infectious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash — stay off for at least 4 days from the rash; phone the surgery first.
3. 999 for a seizure, severe difficulty breathing, being unable to stay awake, or a rash that doesn’t fade under a glass.
The order of symptoms — NHS
| Stage | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cold-like first symptoms | High temperature, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, cough, red, sore, watery eyes | Infectious from here |
| 2. A few days later, mouth | Small white spots inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips, usually lasting a few days | Not everyone (“some people”) |
| 3. A few days later, rash | Starts on the face and behind the ears, then spreads; spots may be raised and join into blotchy patches; not usually itchy | Brown or red on white skin; harder to see on brown and black skin |
| 4. Recovery | Usually starts to get better in about a week | — |
It’s unlikely to be measles if you’ve had both doses of MMRV or MMR or had measles before, says the NHS. Other fever-and-rash illnesses are in chickenpox and scarlet fever.
Urgent GP appointment or NHS 111 — NHS
| If | Where | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| You think you or your child has measles | Urgent GP or 111 | Phone before going in |
| A baby under 1 has been in contact with measles | Same | — |
| You’re pregnant or have a weakened immune system and had close contact | Same | See measles in pregnancy below |
| No past measles and not 2 doses of MMRV or MMR, after close contact | Same | — |
| Temperature not coming down with paracetamol or ibuprofen; more short of breath than usual | Same | — |
| Baby not feeding well, peeing less (fewer wet nappies), very unwell | Same | Reads as signs of dehydration (ours) |
Because measles spreads easily, call your GP surgery before you go in, says the NHS. They may talk over the phone or bring you to a separate part of the surgery.
Looking after yourself or your child — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Rest and fluids | Rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration | — |
| Children’s medicine | If distressed, children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen — check the pack or ask a pharmacist or GP | — |
| Adults | Paracetamol or ibuprofen for a high temperature | — |
| Eyes | Cotton wool soaked in boiled, cooled water to gently remove crusts | — |
| Time off | Stay off nursery, school or work for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears; avoid babies, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system | — |
Avoiding spread — NHS
Measles spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. You’re infectious from your first symptoms (around 4 days before the rash) until 4 days after the rash; counting the rash day, that is about 9 days (our sum). Open windows and doors (only the top window, or with safety catches, if you have young children), wash hands often with soap and warm water, bin tissues straight away, and don’t share cutlery, cups, towels, clothes or bedding.
Complications and pregnancy — NHS
If measles spreads to the lungs or brain it can cause pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures. These are rare, but babies and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk. In pregnancy measles could harm the baby, causing miscarriage or stillbirth, premature birth (before the 37th week) or low birthweight; get medical advice if you’re pregnant and have had close contact, says the NHS.
Call 999 or go to A&E — NHS
| If | Where | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| A seizure | 999 or A&E | 119 in Korea |
| Severe difficulty breathing — gasping, choking, unable to get words out (babies may grunt or their stomach may suck under the ribcage) | Same | — |
| Unable to stay awake — can’t keep eyes open for more than a few seconds | Same | — |
| Suddenly confused — a child very unsettled, behaving differently or crying non-stop | Same | — |
| A child limp, floppy or not responding normally | Same | — |
| A rash that doesn’t fade under a glass, a stiff neck, or light uncomfortable or painful | Same | Don’t drive; bring your medicines |
Vaccination — NHS
The MMRV and MMR vaccines prevent measles; both also protect against mumps and rubella, and MMRV against chickenpox. The UK offers MMRV to all young children and MMR to adults and older children not vaccinated when younger; ask at your GP surgery if unsure.
Checklist
- ☐ A rash spreading from the face and behind the ears a few days after cold-like symptoms?
- ☐ Check 2 doses of MMR (or MMRV)
- ☐ Phone the surgery before going in
- ☐ At least 4 days off from the rash; keep away from babies and pregnant people
- ☐ Seizure, severe breathing difficulty or a non-fading rash: 999 (119 in Korea)
Questions that remain
What should I check before travelling?
The page has no travel section; all it supports is checking you’ve had both vaccine doses.
Do adults need another dose?
The NHS only says MMR is recommended for adults and older children not vaccinated when younger. Ask a clinician about anything further.
Sources
- NHS — Measles — source (page shows: reviewed 31 July 2025, next review due 31 July 2028; checked 28 October 2026). Order of symptoms (cold-like, mouth spots, rash), vaccine and past infection, 9 urgent GP/111 criteria, phoning first, self-care, at least 4 days off, spread and the 4-days-before-to-4-days-after window, complications, measles in pregnancy (37 weeks), 7 emergency signs, MMRV and MMR.
- Not read. The MMRV and MMR vaccine pages; the NHS rashes in children page; the Korean schedule.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean care gloss.
Where to check further
- A paediatrician or clinic — phone ahead with symptoms.
- Obstetrics — after contact with measles in pregnancy.
Written on 28 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.
