| Thanks to routine use of the MMR vaccine in children, the virus that cause measles has been mostly eradicated in the United States. While there are still some reports of cases, they are all thought to be imported from outside the country (so it is important to continue with vaccination until it is eradicated worldwide).
Measles causes a sometimes serious infection that includes a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes that are very sensitive to light, irritability and a distinctive red rash that begins on the neck and travels down the body. Another distinctive feature of measles are Koplik's spots, which are small red spots with white centers inside the mouth.
Fortunately, your child should never get measles.
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