Measles (also called rubeola) is a very serious disease that is easily passed from person to person through the air or via contact with respiratory droplets. It causes a high fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes and rash lasting one or two weeks. Ear infections and pneumonia can also develop. In serious cases, measles can cause an infection of the brain, hearing loss, developmental disability or death. Two doses of a measles vaccine is very effective at preventing measles and provides lifelong protection.