Recognition, Diagnosis, and Management of Measles in the Emergency Department

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that resulted in significant morbidity and mortality before widespread vaccination efforts began in the 1960s. In 2000, measles was declared eliminated in the United States; however, continued global circulation combined with rising vaccine hesitancy has resulted in recent outbreaks of increasing severity. This review article highlights relevant epidemiology and prepares clinicians to differentiate measles infection from similar febrile exanthems of childhood. We review available diagnostics and the management of patients with or exposed to measles infection in an era of unfamiliarity with the condition.