What is measles?

Measles is a virus that can be moderate or very serious, especially for young children and babies. It’s one of the diseases that spreads easily.

Is measles common?

Measles spreads most easily among people who are NOT vaccinated. Almost everyone who has not had the measles vaccine will get sick if they come in contact with the virus. Recent measles outbreaks have happened in the United States. Travelers who get measles in countries where measles is common bring the illness back into the United States and infect others. Measles is still common in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa.

How is measles spread?

Measles is mostly spread through coughing and sneezing. Measles spreads just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This virus can live up to two hours on a surface or in the air where an infected person has coughed or sneezed. You can get the measles if you touch an infected surface or breath infected air. Measles spreads four days before and up to four days after the measles rash appears.

What are the signs and symptoms of measles?

Measles signs and symptoms include:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Eye redness
• Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) in the mouth
• Rash three to five days after symptoms start
  It begins as flat, red spots on the face and hairline then spreads to the neck, stomach area, arms, legs and feet.

What is the treatment for measles?

There is no specific cure for measles. Care focuses on helping relieve signs and symptoms

How do I prevent measles?

Getting the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) is the best protection against measles.

The vaccine schedule for children who are not traveling:

• 1st Dose: 12 months to 15 months old
• 2nd Dose: 4 to 6 years old

The vaccine schedule for teens and adults:

• If there is no evidence of immunity, get a vaccine as soon as possible
• Evidence of immunity includes as least one of the following:
  • Written documentation of vaccination
  • Lab evidence of immunity
  • Lab evidence of measles
  • Adults born before 1957

In rare cases, measles can cause seizures (from high fever), pneumonia, blindness, deafness or brain damage.

The CDC recommends that most children get two doses of the MMR vaccine. Most states require children to get the MMR vaccine when starting daycare, school or college.

Infants 6-11 months and children 12 months and older traveling outside the U.S. should follow another schedule. Also, ask your child’s doctor for recommendations about how to get back on schedule if any doses are missed.