What is Measles?

Measles is an airborne, extremely infectious and potentially severe rash illness. It can be very serious for small children, but is easily preventable by a vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, 1 dose is 93% effective. It is uncommon for someone fully vaccinated to develop measles. However, breakthrough infections (when someone becomes infected after they have been vaccinated) can occur, especially in communities experiencing an outbreak where high levels of measles virus are circulating. But the good news is, fully vaccinated people who get measles seem more likely to have a milder illness. Fully vaccinated people seem also less likely to spread the disease to other people, including people who can’t get vaccinated because they are too young or have weakened immune systems.

Why Is There More Measles Activity?

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. This was thanks to a very high percentage of people receiving the safe and effective measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In recent years, however: U.S. MMR coverage among kindergarteners is now below the 95% coverage target—much lower in some communities—and is decreasing. The unvaccinated individuals have been protected through community immunity (herd immunity), meaning the vaccinated community.

How is Measles Spread?

The disease spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing or touching an infected surface. The measles virus can linger in the air for several hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Measles is not a seasonal virus. However, measles is often spread over times of high travel (like spring break) or in situations where unvaccinated persons are in close quarters (like summer camp).

I've Been Exposed to Someone Who Has Measles. What should I do?

Immediately call your healthcare provider and let them know that you have been exposed to someone who has measles. Your healthcare provider can:

Determine if you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence.
Make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk.

If you are not immune to measles, MMR vaccine or a medicine called immune globulin may help reduce your risk of developing measles. Your healthcare provider can advise you, and monitor you for signs and symptoms of measles.

If you are not immune and do not get MMR or immune globulin, you should stay away from settings where there are susceptible people (such as schools, hospitals, or childcare) until your healthcare provider says it's okay to return. This will help ensure that you do not spread it to others.

What To Look For:

Measles symptoms don't appear until 10 to 14 days after exposure. They include:

• cough
• runny nose or congestion
• red, watery, inflamed eyes
• sore throat, white spots in throat
• fever
• a red, blotchy skin rash appearing 2-5 days after initial symptoms, that starts on the face & neck and spreads to the rest of the body

Complications

• Complications
• Pneumonia
• Encephalitis, which can cause brain swelling and brain damage
• Pregnancy complications
• Blindness
• Severe diarrhea and dehydration
• Ear infections

I Have measles, What Should I Do?

If you have measles, you should stay home for four days after you develop the rash. Staying home is an important way to not spread measles to other people. Ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to be around other people again.

You should also:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put your used tissue in the trash can. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid sharing drinks or eating utensils.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, tables, and counters. Standard household disinfectants will readily kill the measles virus.
• Call your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your symptoms.

Am I Protected Against Measles?

CDC considers you protected from measles if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:

You received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, and you are:

• A school-aged child (grades K-12)
• An adult who will be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission (including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers)
• You received one dose of measles-containing vaccine, and you are:
• A preschool-aged child
• An adult who will not be in a high-risk setting for measles transmission
• A laboratory confirmed that you had measles at some point in your life.
• A laboratory confirmed that you are immune to measles.
• You were born before 1957.

Do I ever need a booster vaccine?

No. CDC considers people who received two doses of measles vaccine as children according to the U.S. vaccination schedule protected for life, and they do not ever need a booster dose.

If you're not sure whether you are fully vaccinated, talk with your healthcare provider.

Treatment

There's no treatment to get rid of an established measles infection, but over-the-counter fever reducers or vitamin A may help with symptoms. Measles usually goes away on its own after about 10 to 14 days.

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Vaccines, maintenance, and post exposure prophylaxis:

Vaccines, maintenance, and post-exposure prophylaxis