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MEASLES

Measles is caused by a paramyxovirus. Measles (like chickenpox) is extremely communicable and is spread mainly by small droplets from the nose, throat, and mouth of a person in the prodromal or an early eruptive stage of the disease or by airborne droplet nuclei. Indirect spread by uninfected persons or by objects is unusual. The communicable period of the disease begins 2 to 4 days before the rash appears until 2 to 5 days after onset. The virus disappears from nose and throat secretions by the time the rash clears. Persons who develop mild desquamation after the rash are no longer infectious.

The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy
Section 19, Chapter 265
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section19/chapter265/265b.htm
date accessed: 2002/02/28