also: ましん
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
measles
Refers to the infectious disease measles. The reading はしか is standard; ましん is a less common alternative reading.
子供の頃に麻疹にかかった。
I had measles when I was a child.
麻疹の予防接種を受ける。
Get a measles vaccination.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling, sometimes used in medical or official contexts.
Kana spelling, common in everyday writing.
風疹 (rubella, German measles) is a different disease, though both cause rashes.
The kanji 麻 (hemp) and 疹 (rash) together describe the rash-like appearance. The reading はしか is of native origin, while ましん is a Sino-Japanese reading.