Measles Symptoms vs. Common Cold: How to Tell Difference

Fever? Coughing? Runny nose? As it turns out, both measles and the common cold share these symptoms, among others. It’s easy to mistake one for the other because, although they share some symptoms, they are vastly different. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious complications, while the common cold is a mild and self-limiting affliction. So, to ensure timely medical intervention and prevent the spread of infection, here are the key differences between measles and cold.

Measles Symptoms vs. Common Cold: How to Tell the Difference?

Understanding Measles and the Common Cold

Measles (rubeola) is a viral infection caused by the measles virus. It primarily affects one’s respiratory system. The virus spreads through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing. It remains highly contagious for up to four days before and after the measles rash appears on the affected person.

While it’s true that measles has primarily been controlled through the measles vaccination, outbreaks still occur. They appear mainly in communities with low immunization rates.

Multiple viruses (most commonly rhinoviruses) cause the common cold. It spreads through direct contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated surfaces. Unlike measles, the cold is usually mild, short-lived, and does not cause serious complications.

Measles can be particularly dangerous for:

Unvaccinated people under age 5
Pregnant women
Adults over 20 years old
People with weakened immune systems

Key Differences Between Measles and the Common Cold

For better understanding, refer to the table below highlighting the key differences between the two illnesses. It can help you determine if it’s measles or the common cold:

Symptom	Measles	Common Cold
Fever	High fever (up to 104°F or 40°C) lasting several days	Mild to moderate fever, usually below 101°F (38.3°C)
Cough	Persistent dry cough, often severe	Mild cough, usually productive with mucus
Runny Nose	Present but often accompanied by eye irritation	Common but typically not severe
Sneezing	Less common	Very common
Sore Throat	Mild or absent	Common, often the first symptom
Fatigue	Severe exhaustion and body aches	Mild tiredness, but still functional
Eye Symptoms	Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) and light sensitivity	Sometimes watery eyes, but no conjunctivitis
Rash	Red, blotchy rash starting at the face, spreading downward	No rash
Koplik’s Spots	Small white spots inside the cheeks (early sign)	Not present

Hopefully, the table above gives you a clearer picture. Self-diagnosis isn’t recommended because it can lead to severe complications. Still, we’ll highlight the unique symptoms below so you can better identify them.

The measles infection is highly contagious. People with measles usually show symptoms 7 to 14 days after infection.

The unique symptoms of measles include:

Fever spikes up to 104°F (40°C) that can persist for several days
Flu-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye) appear early
Tiny, white spots with a bluish center appear on the inner cheeks and mouth (1-2 days before the rash). These are key to distinguishing measles from the common cold
A red, blotchy rash begins at the hairline and spreads to the face. The rash is raised but non-itchy. Next, the rash moves downward and can cover the rest of the body, lasting 5-7 days while it darks and eventually flakes off.

Complications of Measles: Common complications from measles include ear infections (about 1 in 10) and Diarrhea. In severe cases, pneumonia, encephalitid (inflammation of the brain), and Death can occur.

The unique symptoms of the common cold include:

Cold symptoms appear gradually and are usually mild
Fever is rare in adults but can be present in young children
Unlike measles, colds do not cause skin rashes or light sensitivity
Red eyes may occur but without significant irritation or conjunctivitis
Cold symptoms peak within 2–3 days and improve within a week
Mild lingering symptoms, like a slight cough or nasal congestion, may persist but do not worsen over time

What to Do?

Essentially, the infected person should seek medical attention if you or your child experiences the unique symptoms of measles.

As a checklist:

High fever (above 103°F or 39.5°C) that persists for more than 3 days
Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
Severe dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, reduced urination)
Persistent eye redness and sensitivity to light
Worsening cough or chest pain
Suspected exposure to measles without vaccination history

Measles Prevention

The best way to prevent measles is to receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. According to the CDC, MMR efficacy for those vaccinated against measles is:‎

Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is 93% effective.

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