The early symptoms of measles are similar to the flu: fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, red eyes, with a rash that develops several days later., Stage two: Nonspecific signs and symptoms Common first signs of measles include these symptoms: Dry cough Fever Red, watery eyes, known as conjunctivitis Runny nose Sore throat Stage three: Acute illness and rash In the third stage, you'll start to see a rash, which typically begins on the face., Measles: Eye symptoms and conditions to watch for As new measles outbreaks emerge in the U.S., where the disease was once considered eradicated, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is informing the public as well as clinicians — who may be caring for measles patients for the first time — about different ways the virus can harm eyes and , Signs and symptoms Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include: High fever (may spike to more than 104° F) Cough Runny nose (coryza) Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) Rash Complications Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea , Measles isn't just a little rash. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. 7–14 days after a measles infection: first symptoms show Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Measles typically begins with: High fever (may spike to more than 104°) Cough Runny nose (coryza) Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) 2–3 days after symptoms begin , Measles often causes symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes (conjunctivitis), white spots inside the mouth, and a rash that spreads from head to toe..