Complications of Measles

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Complications are more likely in children with a weakened immune system, such as those with leukaemia or AIDS, and children with a poor diet.

Some of the common complications related to measles are:

Diarrhoea;
Vomiting;
Eye infection (conjunctivits);
Inflammation of the voicebox (laryngitis);
Inner ear infection and inflammation (otitis media) - often with earache; and
Fits due to fever (febrile convulsions) â€“ brought on by fever and high temperature. They are alarming but not usually dangerous.

Less common complications include:

Meningitis;
Pneumonia (lung infection) â€“ signs are fast, laboured breathing, chest pain, deteriorating condition;
Hepatitis;
Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) - can be fatal, so you should watch for drowsiness, headache, and vomiting;
Low platelet (white blood cell) count â€“ known medically as thrombocytopenia, which affects the blood ability to clot;
Bronchitis and croup (infection of the airways) â€“ hacking, barking cough; and
Squint â€“ the virus may affect eye nerves and muscles.

Rarely, measles can lead to:

Serious eye disorders;
Heart and nervous system problems; and
Very rarely, a serious brain complication can occur (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), sometimes years later.

If you are planning to get pregnant, and havenâ€™t had measles yet, you should arrange with your GP to have the MMR vaccine. If you catch measles during pregnancy it can pass to your baby, and can be very damaging or fatal. Measles in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, premature labour or a baby with low birth weight. The MMR jab cannot be given during pregnancy.