Fact 3: Fever – The First Alarm Bell
The human body is an intricate machine, designed to detect and respond to intruders. And with measles, the body’s initial response is telling. It starts with a fever – not just a mild increase in temperature but a high fever, a blaring alarm indicating something’s amiss.
But why fever? When the measles virus enters the body, the immune system goes on high alert. The increased temperature is the body’s way of creating an inhospitable environment for the virus. It’s like turning up the heat to ward off an unwelcome guest. But the fever isn’t solitary. Accompanying it are symptoms like cough and runny nose, signaling the virus’s attack on the respiratory system.
The 10 to 12 days post-exposure, known as the incubation period, are deceptive. The virus is busy, even if symptoms aren’t evident. By the time the fever strikes, the virus has already established a stronghold, making timely medical attention essential. (3)