Measles
Measles is caused by a virus and is the most contagious human disease. It can easily infect anyone who is not immune and can cause severe health problems. The best protection against infection is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.
What to expect
Many people think of measles as just causing a rash and flu-like symptoms. However, measles can lead to severe illness and life-threatening complications like brain inflammation and pneumonia. Measles spreads through the air and is highly contagious.
The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and it can linger in a room for up to two hours after the infected person has left. Over 90% of people close to someone with measles will become infected if they’re not vaccinated.
Symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after a measles exposure.
- High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees, usually highest 2 days after a rash appears)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Tiny white spots (known as Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. Not all patients infected with measles will develop these spots.
Measles rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face around the hairline. These spots will spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
The spots may begin to cluster together as they spread across the body, and the patient’s fever may spike to more than 104 degrees when these rashes appear.
An infected person can spread measles to others beginning about four days before the rash appears and remains infectious until four days after the rash starts. People with measles can spread measles to others before they have any symptoms of illness at all.
What to do if you think you or a loved one may have the measles
If you think you or your child might have measles, contact your health care provider immediately. Stay at home away from others unless you need to see a doctor. If you do need to go to a healthcare facility – call ahead to let them know you might have measles before you go to the clinic so they can make arrangements for you to be seen without exposing others. Wearing a face mask can limit the spread of the virus.
- Pneumonia (an infection of the lungs)
- Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
- Ear infection
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Respiratory failure
- Appendicitis
- Birth complications
- Death
Measles can be especially dangerous for infants and young children, people with weakened immune systems, and those who are pregnant. Birth complications may include premature birth or, in severe cases, stillbirth.
Prevention
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles and stay healthy. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children get two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. The vaccine can also be given to adults who have not received an MMR vaccination or to those who are unsure of their vaccination status.
Travel
Anyone who will be traveling internationally should have two doses of MMR. Infants who are 6-11 months old who are traveling internationally can be given an early dose of MMR. If you are traveling to an area of the US with an active outbreak, check with your health care provider or your local health department.