What common symptom accompanies the rash in early measles infection?

In early measles infection, a prominent symptom that often accompanies the rash is thick rhinorrhea, which refers to a significant discharge of mucus from the nasal passages. This symptom is part of the prodromal phase of measles, which typically occurs a few days before the characteristic rash appears. During this stage, patients often experience upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and congestion, along with other common manifestations such as cough and conjunctivitis.

Thick rhinorrhea is associated with the viral upper respiratory infection that measles causes, leading to inflammation of the mucous membranes. It is important to recognize that while other symptoms may also be present during a measles infection, particularly in the early stages, the thick nasal discharge is a distinctive feature that marks the illness before the rash develops.