6 warning signs your child has measles

What to look out for and how to prevent this nasty virus, by CAMILLA FOSTER

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AS a measles outbreak continues to spread through schools in London and make headlines, it's understandable that parents may be worried about their own child's health.

Here, Dr Henrik Premasundaram, GP at HCA Healthcare UK outlines the early subtle symptoms parents should look out for.

1. COLD-LIKE SYMPTOMS

In the early phase, so usually between day one to day four, children with measles tend to have cold-like symptoms such as a cough, fever, runny nose and sore, red, watery eyes.

Colds are very common at this time of year, but children with measles tend to look more unwell, more tired and more miserable than they would with a typical viral infection.

2. SENSITIVE TO LIGHT

Children who get sore, watery eyes tend to be more sensitive to light, which you wouldn't typically expect with a simple cold.

3. HIGH FEVER

A high fever is a key symptom of measles and tends to keep rising over the first few days.