The present paper aims to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 220 patients with adult measles in Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital , Shanghai Jiao Tong University ,from January 2003 to December 2008，and to evaluate the clinical characteristics of adult measles. The patients included 124 males and 96 females.The average age was(34.6±4.2)years old and the proportion of migrating population who are not regular Shanghai residents was 70.91%. The incidence peak of adult measles appeared in April and May, and the positive rate of measles virus-specific serum IgM was 93.18%. There were 183 patients (83.18%)with fever above 39℃, 86 patients (39.09%) and 31 patients (14.09%)concurrent with viral hepatitis and diarrhea, respectively. Our study highlighted the importance of postponed onset of measles in adults including people with history of vaccination as shown by serious toxemic symptoms and liver injuries.