Which of the following best represents the common symptoms of measles?

• A. Fever, malaise, anorexia, conjunctivitis, coryza, and cough.
• B. Headache and dizziness only.
• C. Rash without fever.
• D. Joint pain and swelling.

Answer: (A)

Measles typically starts with a systemic febrile illness accompanied by an upper respiratory prodrome. The most recognizable early presentation includes fever with malaise and anorexia, along with conjunctivitis, coryza, and a cough. These symptoms reflect the widespread viral infection of the respiratory tract and the body's inflammatory response, and they often appear before the characteristic rash. Koplik spots on the mucosa can also appear during this phase and help confirm the diagnosis before the rash develops.

The other patterns don’t fit the usual course: a lone headache and dizziness aren’t the defining prodrome; a rash without fever misses a common and prominent feature of measles; and joint pain with swelling is not characteristic of measles.