Atlanta (CNN) Measles may lead to serious, fatal complications not often associated with the disease, a new study finds.

Almost a third of all reported cases of measles have complications such as pneumonia, hepatitis and viral meningitis, according to the study , published Monday in the medical journal BMJ Case Reports. The authors describe three cases of adult measles with additional complications as a direct result of the infection.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory viral infection most frequently associated with fever, cough and rash. Since it suppresses the body's immune system, it makes people vulnerable to complications in every organ of the body, the researchers said.

Though the disease and its complications are preventable with a vaccine, the researchers said anti-vaccination campaigns have contributed to an increase in cases in children and adults. Research shows complications occur most commonly in people under 5 or above 20 years old.

People should be especially wary now since it is peak flu season, according to Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. With the novel coronavirus gaining a foothold in the US and flu cases still increasing, a triple epidemic in the US is possible, he said.

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