If we look in the mouth at [the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours of the invasion] we see a redness of the fauces; perhaps, not in all cases, a few spots on the soft palate. On the buccal mucous membrane and the inside of the lips, we invariably see small irregular spots, of a bright red color. In the centre of each spot, there is noted, in strong daylight, a minute bluish white speck. These are absolutely pathognomonic of beginning measles. -Henry Koplik, 1896

Henry Koplik, in 1856,was the one who discovered the features of Measles. The name "measles" comes from the Middle English "maselen" meaning "many little spots" referring to the rash that is characteristic feature of measles. Rubeola refers to the red color of the rash. Measles is common in childhood, with more than 90% of infants and children infected by 12 years of age. Measles is among the most readily transmitted of all infectious diseases. The average time between exposure to the measles virus and the development of symptoms is from 10 to 14 days.