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If someone with measles is getting worse quickly or has any emergency warning sign below, go to a hospital emergency department now. Call the hospital before you arrive and say measles is suspected or confirmed so staff can prepare. Do not wait for every symptom to appear. If measles is suspected but there are no emergency signs, contact a doctor or hospital promptly for instructions.
What are the warning signs of measles complications?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says to seek emergency care immediately for rapid worsening or any of these signs:
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- Trouble breathing or breathing faster than normal.
- Pain when breathing or coughing.
- Signs of dehydration, such as a dry nose and mouth, urinating less than usual, or crying without tears.
- A fever or headache that will not stop.
- Confusion, decreased alertness, or severe weakness.
For a young child, CDC also lists blue color around the mouth, low energy, or difficulty feeding as emergency warning signs. The direction is “DO NOT WAIT”: this is not a checklist to use at home before deciding whether to seek help. CDC: Measles: What to Do If You Get Sick or Exposed (published August 5, 2026).
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When should I take a child with measles to the ER?
Take a child to the emergency department immediately if the child has any of the warning signs above or is worsening rapidly. Blue color around the mouth, low energy, and difficulty feeding are additional warning signs CDC calls out for young children. Call the hospital before arrival to alert staff that measles is suspected or confirmed.
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For suspected measles without emergency signs, call a doctor or hospital promptly rather than arriving without notice. They can advise where and how the child should be evaluated while reducing exposure to other patients and staff. Adapt emergency-service instructions to your location.
What should I do if measles symptoms get worse?
Contact a doctor or hospital right away if measles is suspected. CDC describes early symptoms as high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes, followed by a rash. Symptoms generally begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, and the rash appears several days after the initial symptoms. Do not delay contacting a clinician while waiting for a rash or trying to confirm the diagnosis yourself. CDC: Measles Symptoms and Complications (updated August 5, 2026).
If symptoms worsen rapidly, or any emergency warning sign appears, go to the emergency department immediately and call ahead. For a suspected case without those signs, the clinician or hospital can give instructions for safe evaluation.
Can measles cause breathing problems or dehydration?
Yes. Pneumonia is a serious measles complication, and breathing difficulty, faster-than-normal breathing, or pain with breathing or coughing are emergency signs. Dehydration can also occur; CDC gives dry nose and mouth, reduced urination, and crying without tears as examples of warning signs. Seek emergency care for these symptoms rather than trying to manage them with home products first.
Measles can also cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. CDC’s population-level estimates, updated August 5, 2026, include:
- As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia.
- About 1 child out of every 1,000 who gets measles develops encephalitis.
- About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the United States who gets measles is hospitalized.
- Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
These are estimates for groups, not predictions of what will happen to an individual. CDC: Measles Symptoms and Complications.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who is at higher risk of serious complications?
CDC identifies children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems as more likely to have serious measles complications. If someone in one of these groups may have measles, contact a clinician promptly for guidance; emergency warning signs still require immediate emergency care. CDC: Clinical Overview of Measles (published May 23, 2024).
How are measles complications treated?
Measles care is generally supportive, with treatment aimed at relieving symptoms. Complications such as pneumonia and secondary bacterial infections need management under a healthcare provider’s supervision. CDC says there is no specific FDA-approved antiviral therapy for measles. Home remedies or consumer products are not substitutes for urgent assessment when warning signs occur.
CDC provider guidance says vitamin A may be administered to patients with confirmed measles under healthcare-provider supervision. Excess vitamin A can be toxic and damage the liver, bones, central nervous system, and skin; pregnant women should avoid high levels because of the risk of severe birth defects. Do not use vitamin A to self-treat measles. CDC: Clinical Overview of Measles; CDC: Healthcare Providers: Stay Alert for Measles Cases (published January 26, 2026).
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