Rubeola, also called 10-day measles, red measles, or measles, is
a viral illness that results in a viral exanthem. Exanthem is
another name for a rash or skin eruption. Rubeola has a distinct
rash that helps aid in the diagnosis. Measles is spread from one
child to another through direct contact with discharge from the
nose and throat. Sometimes, it is spread through airborne
droplets from an infected child. This is a very contagious
disease that usually consists of a rash, fever, and cough.
Measles virus, the cause of measles, is classified as a
Morbillivirus. It is mostly seen in the winter and spring.
Rubeola is preventable by proper immunization with the measles
vaccine. It may take between seven to 14 days for a child to
develop symptoms of rubeola after being exposed to the disease.
It is important to know that a child is contagious four days
before the onset of signs and symptoms and four days after the
rash develops. Therefore, children may be contagious before they
even know they have the disease. Du