What You Need to Know About Measles

Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It can cause serious health complications at the time of infection, as well as later in life. Measles starts with fever, followed by a cough, runny nose and watery eyes. A rash then breaks out, with red spots appearing first on the head and then spreading to the rest of the body.

Worse than just a cold or the flu, measles is a serious disease that can be prevented with a vaccine.

Who is at risk of measles?

Anyone who is not vaccinated against measles is at risk. Once a widespread illness, measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000 thanks to vaccines. However, measles is still common among the unvaccinated in many parts of the world, including the United States, so it is important to make sure your family is vaccinated.

Measles symptoms appear seven to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Symptoms of measles include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Koplik’s spots (small red rings with blue-white centers that appear inside the mouth)
• Rash (typically appears between days three and five after the onset of early symptoms, with red bumps breaking out first on the forehead, then moving over the face, neck and body and down to the arms and feet)

Complications

Measles can result in serious health complications. Some people, especially children younger than 5 years of age, are at a higher risk of experiencing complications from measles, which can include:

• Dehydration
• Ear infections
• Diarrhea
• In serious cases, pneumonia and encephalitis

Because measles is so contagious, it’s important for you to understand how it spreads so you can take the proper precautions.

How does measles spread?

Measles is an extremely contagious virus. If one person has it, nine out of 10 people nearby will also become infected if they are not protected by vaccination. Someone who is unvaccinated can catch measles just from passing through the same room that an infected person was in hours earlier.

Here’s how it works:

• The measles virus lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can then spread to others through coughing and sneezing
• The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed.
• People can become infected by breathing the contaminated air or touching an infected surface and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
• Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.

How you can help stop the spread of measles

Because measles is so contagious, the best way to stop the spread is to make sure everyone in your family is vaccinated. The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. The MMR and MMRV vaccines are proven safe and effective. For the best protection, two doses of the vaccine are recommended.

Call your child’s pediatrician immediately if you suspect your child:

• Is not immunized against measles.
• Has been exposed to someone with measles.
• May have measles.

If you suspect your child may have measles, contact your child’s pediatrician immediately. To prevent spreading the disease to other people, it’s important to let your child’s pediatrician know about your measles concerns before planning your visit. Keep your child home from school or day care for four days after the rash appears.

How can I protect my newborn from measles?

Mothers who are immunized for measles pass protection for measles to their infants, but that protection begins to disappear in the first few months of an infant’s life.

During this time, make sure friends, caregivers and family members are up to date on their vaccinations.

How can I protect my young child from measles?

Immunization for measles is necessary when a child is between 12 and 15 months old. 93-95% of the people who receive a single dose will develop immunity.

“Making sure that your child receives an MMR vaccine is the best way to protect your child from measles,” says Andi Shane, MD, MPH, System Medical Director of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

A booster dose is then given to a child around 4 to 6 years of age. This second dose boosts immunity, enhancing protection to 97-98%.

Vaccines prevent many harmful diseases and are safe and effective. Discuss any vaccine-related decisions with your child’s pediatrician.