(HealthDay News) -- Measles is a very contagious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and respiratory or ear infections.

Thanks to widespread vaccination, measles cases have dropped to a sparse few in the United States and Canada, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

Nonetheless, the NLM mentions these potential symptoms of measles:

• Spotty rash that commonly starts three-to-five days after other symptoms emerge.
• Bloodshot eyes.
• Cough.
• Fever.
• Light sensitivity.
• Muscle pain.
• Eye redness.
• Runny nose.
• Sore throat.
• Small white spots in the mouth.