black measles

hem·or·rhag·ic mea·sles

a severe form in which the eruption is dark in color due to effusion of blood into affected areas of the skin.

Synonym(s): black measles (1)

black measles

n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)

A severe form of measles characterized by dark, hemorrhagic skin eruptions. Also called hemorrhagic measles.

black measles

Etymology: AS, blac + OHG, masala

an acute tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. The disease is characterized by a sudden onset of headache, chills, and fever, which can persist for 2 to 3 weeks. A characteristic rash appears on the extremities and trunk about the fourth day of illness. Also called hemorrhagic measles.

A descriptive term for the darkened hemorrhagic cutaneous spots seen in Rocky Mountain spotted fever—caused by Rickettsia rickettsii—which have been likened to the rash of hemorrhagic measles—rubeola