measles

Measles used to be a common childhood illness until the immunization came along (thank goodness). Measles is characterized by high fever, a typical rash, muscle aches, a terrible cough, red watery eyes - bad news. The rate of complications with ear infections and pneumonia was very high. Children died of measles.

This is a disease you should never see, because every child should be immunized for it. The majority of young physicians in practice will never have seen a case, so if you hear of a child with "measles," assume the diagnosis is in error at least initially. It is a reportable disease, which means the health department must be notified. If they didn't notify, you might ask why.

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