You may not think too much about measles since it’s a childhood disease, but if you have not been vaccinated, think again. Measles has been reported in 9 states and has infected 64 people in the U.S. Most of the cases were brought back after people visited parts of Europe and Israel.

Measles, otherwise known as Rubeola, is a virus that can produce cough, conjunctivitis, runny nose, fatigue, fever and of course a red rash all over the body. You can also develop Koplik spots that are tiny white papules, as small as a grain of sand overlying a red base in the mouth on the inner cheeks and gums.

Atypical measles can be seen if you were immunized before 1967 when an inactivated virus was used in the vaccine. Symptoms may not be as severe but headaches, fatigue, and fever are still present.

Measles can be fatal if not treated, so check your vaccination records and talk to your practitioner if you are not immunized.

Sixty-four cases of measles have been diagnosed in the United States this year, the most in seven years, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read the rest of this post from CNN.com – Health

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