measles

measles An acute and highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a spreading skin rash. Measles can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (which can cause convulsions, mental retardation, and even death), the sudden onset of low blood platelet levels with severe bleeding (acute thrombocytopenic purpura), or a chronic brain disease that occurs months to years after an attack of measles (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis). During pregnancy, exposure to the measles virus may trigger miscarriage or premature delivery. Treatment includes rest and use of anti-itching preparations to soothe the skin, and nonaspirin pain relievers for fever. Measles is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable death worldwide. Also known as rubeola, hard measles, seven-day measles, eightday measles, nine-day measles, ten-day measles, and morbilli. See also measles, atypical; measles encephalitis; measles immunization.