Measles Symptoms Explained Day-by-Day, Highlighting Contagious Period Before Rash Appears
A detailed explanation of measles symptoms outlines the progression of the illness, emphasizing that individuals are contagious before the characteristic rash appears. The initial phase of measles often mimics a common cold, presenting with a fever, cough, runny nose (coryza), and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), collectively known as the 'three Cs.' The fever can be high and may increase over several days. The rash typically emerges days after these initial symptoms, starting at the hairline and spreading downwards. During the period between exposure and the appearance of the rash, which can be one to two weeks, an infected person can unknowingly transmit the virus to others. The timeline distinguishes between 'days since exposure' and 'days since the first symptom' to help track the illness.
