El sarampión es una enfermedad infecciosa exantemática como la rubeola o la varicela, bastante frecuente, especialmente en niños, causada por un virus, específicamente de la familia paramixoviridae (no confundir con el genero paramixovirus al cual pertenecen el virus de las paperas y parainfluenza) del género Morbillivirus. Se caracteriza por típicas manchas en la piel de color rojo (eccemas) (exantema) así como fiebre y un estado general debilitado. En algunos casos de complicaciones el sarampión, causa inflamación en los pulmones y el cerebro que amenazan la vida del paciente. El período de incubación del sarampión usualmente dura de 4-12 días, durante los cuales no hay síntomas. Las personas infectadas permanecen contagiosas desde la aparición de los primeros síntomas hasta los 3-5 días después de la aparición del sarpullido. El diagnóstico se hace por el cuadro clínico y la detección de anticuerpos en la sangre. No existe terapia específica para el tratamiento de la enfermedad, sin embargo, se puede prevenir la enfermedad mediante la administración de la vacuna contra el sarampión. La vacuna triple vírica (también conocida como SPR) ha reducido el número de infecciones en el pasado. En la mayoría de los países, la enfermedad es de declaración obligatoria a las autoridades de salud social. En 1998, la Asamblea Mundial de la Salud estableció el objetivo de la eliminación del sarampión indígena de la Región Europea en 2007, para poder certificar su eliminación antes de 2010.

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Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus. Initial signs and symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40 °C (104.0 °F), cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. Two or three days after the start of symptoms, small white spots may form inside the mouth, known as Koplik's spots. A red, flat rash which usually starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body typically begins three to five days after the start of symptoms. Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days. Complications occur in about 30% and may include diarrhea, blindness, inflammation of the brain, and pneumonia among others. Rubella (German measles) and roseola are different diseases. Measles is an airborne disease which spreads easily through the coughs and sneezes of those infected. It may also be spread through contact with saliva or nasal secretions. Nine out of ten people who are not immune and share living space with an infected person will catch it. People are infectious to others from four days before to four days after the start of the rash. People usually do not get the disease more than once. Testing for the virus in suspected cases is important for public health efforts. The measles vaccine is effective at preventing the disease. Vaccination has resulted in a 75% decrease in deaths from measles between 2000 and 2013 with about 85% of children globally being currently vaccinated. No specific treatment is available. Supportive care may improve outcomes. This may include giving oral rehydration solution (slightly sweet and salty fluids), healthy food, and medications to control the fever. Antibiotics may be used if a secondary bacterial infection such as pneumonia occurs. Vitamin A supplementation is also recommended in the developing world. Measles affects about 20 million people a year, primarily in the developing areas of Africa and Asia. It causes the most vaccine-preventable deaths of any disease. It resulted in about 96,000 deaths in 2013, down from 545,000 deaths in 1990. In 1980, the disease was estimated to have caused 2.6 million deaths per year. Most of those who are infected and who die are less than five years old. The risk of death among those infected is usually 0.2%, but may be up to 10% in those who have malnutrition. It is not believed to affect other animals. Before immunization in the United States, between three and four million cases occurred each year. As a result of widespread vaccination, the disease was eliminated from the Americas in 2016.

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