What are the symptoms of measles?

According to the CDC, measles symptoms develop 7-14 days after exposure. Initially, patients experience high fever (potentially exceeding 104 degrees), cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes. Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots appear inside the mouth. The characteristic measles rash then develops, starting as flat red spots on the face at the hairline before spreading downward to the neck, chest, and entire body. As the rash spreads, spots may join together, and fever can spike even higher. This highly contagious disease is currently spreading in communities with low vaccination rates, creating a significant public health concern.