[Measles. A viral illness with risk of permanent damage]

Measles is a highly contagious exanthematous disease. After an incubation period of almost two weeks, catarrhal prodromic, associated with initial attacks of fever appear. Typical manifestations are Koplik's spots. The exanthema appears together with the second rise in temperature. The illness confers lifelong immunity. In individual cases, an encephalitis resulting in permanent neurological deficits must be expected. Every effort should be made to prevent this condition from arising. To this end, immunization with a combination measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended.