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Measles
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Close-up of a person's torso showing a widespread red, blotchy rash characteristic of measles, with hands pulling up a green shirt to expose the skin. Measles Measles
Gloved hands draw liquid from a vial into a syringe, overlaid on a digitally colored microscopic image of a virus with round particles in clusters.
Find out from Dr. Tina Tan of Northwestern University why adult vaccination against various types of diseases is important
Three line graphs display the dramatic decline in reported cases of diphtheria, polio, and measles in the United States from 1920 to 2019, each showing a sharp drop after the introduction of their respective vaccines. Diphtheria cases fell after 1921, polio after 1955, and measles after 1963, illustrating the impact of mass vaccination programs. An inset highlights an increase in measles cases after 2010. Infographic showing estimated lives saved by childhood vaccinations worldwide from 1974 to 2024, with syringe-shaped bars for each disease. Measles tops the list at 93.71 million lives saved, followed by tetanus, whooping cough, and others, for a total of 153.84 million lives saved. Vaccines by the numbers A chart showing the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended immunization schedule for children from birth to 6 years, listing vaccines and timing for each dose across a timeline, with color-coded markers for standard and high-risk recommendations.
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Close-up of a person's torso showing a widespread red, blotchy rash characteristic of measles, with hands pulling up a green shirt to expose the skin.
Measles An infant with skin rash characteristic of measles.

Measles

disease
Also known as: rubeola
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
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•History

Measles, contagious viral disease marked by fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and a characteristic rash. Measles is most common in children but may appear in older persons who escaped it earlier in life. Infants are immune up to four or five months of age if the mother has had the disease. Immunity to measles following an attack is usually lifelong. The disease can be prevented through immunization with the MMR vaccine. Learn more in this list of...

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